It’s the New Year, with lots of resolutions and good intentions! But how can you realistically set New Year resolutions that are achievable?
We go into the new year with renewed energy, passion, dreams, and ambitions but so many of us fail within the first few weeks. In fact, “of those who make a New Year’s resolution, after 1 week 75% are still successful in keeping it. After two weeks, the number drops to 71%. After 1 month, the number drops again to 64%. And after 6 months, 46% of people who make a resolution are still successful in keeping.”1
Do you sometimes feel the “New Year, New Me” mindset just sets you up for failure? Do you have too many resolutions? Are they realistic? And do you check and reward your progress?
If you’re like most of us, unable to focus on goals and your new year’s resolutions, here are five tips to help you get started and stay persistent throughout the time:
1. Set Your Goal
You can stick to your New Year’s resolutions only when you set practical goals. How else do you even think it is possible to achieve bigger things without a checklist and a solid plan? So set reasonable, personalized, and manageable goals, and write them down. And don’t forget to be both positive and realistic when setting goals, so they are achievable, satisfying, and keep you motivated.
2. Develop Action Steps
New Year’s resolutions become an alluring fad because you don’t have a roadmap. You don’t necessarily have to set a plan for the entire year. Take baby steps, and set weekly or monthly goals, but back them up with an action plan that’s also measurable. Draft one and see yourself climbing the ladder. Also, make your goals and plan of action greater than your excuses.
3. Consider Developing a “Cheering Section”
Build relationships that support you, help you thrive, and celebrate your successes. You really don’t need anyone that drains your energy and deviates you from your goals. Find your support group, probably even some friendly competition, to help you stick to your routine. You’d not want to let down this group of people, and it’ll be hard for you to give up on your goals. It will foster competition plus cooperation and give you a good kick.
4. Check Your Progress
There’s a certain level of introspection needed to know where you stand. Because when you’re trying to accomplish something, monitoring your growth tells you that your efforts are working or that you must adjust. So, don’t just keep going; pause and check how far you’ve come. Check your progress and keep reminding yourself of what you’re visualizing and that making excuses or not going in the right direction can cost you. And don’t forget to share your results too. You never know who might get motivated to embark on their journey. Plus, compliments never hurt.
5. Give Yourself “High Fives”
While you’re at it, pat yourself on the back for all the goals you ticked off. Nothing comes easy, but if you’re able to bring about a change, BRAVO. Identify your wins. Appreciate yourself for that. Give yourself those much-needed high-fives. Celebrate your victories. Reward yourself for the temptations you could overcome on the way. It boosts your self-esteem and helps you keep giving your best every single day.
In The End
Succeeding at your New Year’s resolutions will require a lot of effort, dedication, and sacrifices. But living your best life means you need to give up on some things to get better ones. Whatever goals you have, everything can change in a blink. So, start today, and who knows what magic might unfold.
Happy holidays, and an incredibly happy new year!
1“New Year’s Resolution Statistics (2022 Updated)”, Discover Happy Habits, AUG 22, 2022