TL;DR – If you want to make New Year’s resolutions that you will actually keep, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success!
New Year’s resolutions can be a great way to set goals and make positive changes in your life. But we are all too familiar with making some resolutions at the start of the year only to find ourselves struggling to keep them as the year progresses. You are not alone! If you want to make New Year’s resolutions that you will actually keep, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success.
Be specific when making New Year’s resolutions
Rather than making a vague resolution like “exercise more,” try to be as specific as possible. Instead, set a goal like “exercise for 30 minutes at least three times a week.” This way, you have a clear target to aim for and can track your progress more easily.
Make a plan
Once you have a specific goal in mind, it’s important to have a plan in place to help you achieve it. This might include things like scheduling time for your workouts, finding a workout buddy, or joining a gym. After all, the old adage of “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail” is pretty true.
Start small
It’s easy to get excited about making big changes, but it’s often more realistic (and sustainable) to start small and build up gradually. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier, you might start by making one healthy meal per day and gradually increasing the number of healthy meals you eat each week. Starting small also helps you achieve small wins and this helps you be motivated to keep at it.
Find accountability
It can be tough to stay motivated and on track when you’re trying to make a change on your own. Consider finding someone to hold you accountable, whether it’s a friend, a family member, or a coach. This can help you stay on track and cheer you on when you’re struggling. Having your accountability partner check in on you regularly or you reporting your progress regularly will help you be more disciplined.
Be patient
Change does not happen overnight, and it’s important to be patient with yourself as you work towards your goals. Do not get discouraged if you have setbacks or struggle to stick to your resolutions at times. It’s all part of the process and you can learn from your mistakes. The most important part is you do not stop trying!
Track your progress
One of the keys to staying motivated is seeing progress. Whether you’re using a planner, a journal, or a smartphone app, it’s important to keep track of your progress and celebrate your successes along the way.
Reward yourself
When you reach a milestone or achieve a goal, it’s important to reward yourself. Managed to eat clean for 6 days? Give yourself a cheat day to treat yourself and indulge in some of your favourite foods. The reward could be something small, like a piece of your favourite snack, or something bigger, like a day at the spa.
Be flexible
While it’s important to stay committed to your goals, it’s also important to be flexible and adapt as needed. If you find that your goals are too ambitious or not realistic, it’s okay to adjust them. If you find going to the gym every 3 days too difficult to keep to, cut yourself some slack and try every 5 days instead first and go from there. Setting unachievable goals makes you feel like giving up instead.
Overall, the key to making New Year’s resolutions that you will actually keep is to be specific, make a plan, start small, find accountability, be patient, track your progress, and reward yourself. With a little bit of planning and a lot of determination, you can make positive changes in your life and achieve your goals. We hope 2023 sees you keeping more of your New Year’s resolutions!
