People make New Years resolutions every year, but they often don’t stick with them. If you’re falling into that trap, there are ways you can be more prepared to meet your goals in the new year. Here are some of the main ideas you’ll want to consider, so you can find what works for you. Then you’ll be able to make resolutions that you can stick to, so you can follow your plans and fulfill your dreams.
Start Small
You don’t have to tackle everything at once. Actually, it’s easier if you don’t. Instead, start small. You know what you want to accomplish, but you also know you can’t do it all right away. Some things take time and effort, and you want to make sure you give yourself that time so you feel good about putting in the effort. In short, you can get a lot more done overall, if you tackle one small area of it at a time. Don’t be afraid to let your goals take longer. The time will pass anyway.
Talk About What You’re Doing
Be open about your goals, plans, and dreams. Whether you talk to yourself or someone else, the act of discussing your New Year’s resolutions make them feel more real. It can also help you be accountable, and get you excited about all the things you’re doing in your life. Then you’ll have a better chance of meeting your goals, and making needed adjustments if you see that there are honest problems with your plans. Don’t stop talking about what matters to you.
Find a Friend Who Shares Your Goal
If you have a friend who shares the kinds of goals you have, why not pair up and work on your goals together? It’s a great way to have someone to talk to about the things that you value. It’s also a good way to stay motivated and focused, because you can encourage one another. If you don’t have a friend who shares your goals, there are all kinds of ways to meet new people. You could make a friend who wants the same things you do, and keep each other accountable.
Focus on Discipline, Not Motivation
While having someone to help you stay motivated can be a great thing, remember that motivation fades over time. Then what you’ll need is discipline and habit. That’s especially true if your resolutions include things that are drastic changes, such as starting an exercise program or going back to school. Work on building good habits right from the beginning and reminding yourself why you’ve made this resolution. That will help you stay disciplined when motivation goes away.
Reward Yourself for Meeting Goals
Don’t forget to reward yourself when you meet a goal. Just be careful to make the reward something that won’t sabotage your goals. If you’re saving money, for example, you shouldn’t splurge on something when you reach a savings goal. That will only set you back. Instead, find something that you want to do or buy, and make sure you’re setting realistic rewards for the goals you’re meeting. Then you can stay on track, and also have something to look forward to.
Learn From Your Past Resolutions
When you made resolutions in the past, did you keep them? If you didn’t, what happened that made you stop pursuing the plans or goals you had? By re-evaluating your past resolutions and how well you did in keeping them (or not), you can more carefully consider what to do different this time. Whether you still want to achieve that dream or goal, and how you could do things differently this time in order to get there are both important areas to look at thoroughly.
Remember to be Kind to Yourself
Sometimes, despite the best of intentions, you’ll make a mistake. You might skip the gym for a week because you’re busy, or spend a little too much on a new dress for that upcoming party. Don’t beat yourself up. Just acknowledge the error and look at what you could have done differently. Then be ready to avoid the mistake in the future. Being kind to yourself goes a long way toward feeling encouraged and capable of doing all the things that really matter in the new year. Talk to yourself the same way you would talk to a friend who was going through the same thing.
