Happy New Year!
By now, the hustle and bustle and stress of the holiday season is behind us.
You have probably spent a few weeks visiting with friends and family, shopping, gift-giving, and time spent focusing on everyone else.
Now, with the New Year upon us, it is time to focus on you.
What do you want to achieve this year? What is your goal? What do you resolve to improve?
As we think of New Year’s resolutions, we naturally reflect on how we want to better ourselves and think of and determine the changes needed to make that become our reality.
New Year’s resolutions can vary greatly.
- Weight loss?
- Run a 5k?
- Create better work/life balance?
A common thread they all have is achieving something that will have a positive impact on our life.
Whatever your particular goal is – the important thing is that you determine what truly matters to you.
Here are 7 ways to think of and to stick to your New Year resolutions.
To maximize your chances of not being another statistic of giving up on them.
1. Pick a goal/target that motivates you:
Plain and simple – it must be a 9 or 10 out of 10 of importance for you.
You must really want the pleasure you’ll achieve from earning or completing it and or the absence of pain you’ll receive from achieving it.
Think about it – what will I get from this? How does this better my life?
If it doesn’t drive you at high levels – you’ll give up on it too easily.
2. Break down your big goals into smaller more manageable goals:
Goals can be overwhelming.
Especially if we’ve never achieved them or we are starting at ground zero.
To lower the overwhelm, break down the big goal into bite size chunks.
What would progress look like at the halfway point?
What would progress at the ¼ way point look like?
3. Make it measurable:
For your goal to be attainable, it’s important that you make it specific and measurable.
What are you measuring? How will you track it across time?
Without a way of measuring – we’re flying blind and won’t be able to acknowledge any progress.
4. Be realistic:
Ahh this ones an ole slap of truth: We all can be unrealistic with our goals.
It’s important to set our goals according to our lifestyle and with what we will be able to achieve, otherwise we might lose your drive with unrealistic unmet expectations.
Be honest to yourself and be sure to consider the resources and time you have available to help you meet your goals.
5. Make a plan:
Success does not come from just winging it.
You need a map. A plan. Something you’ve thought out and called upon.
So you know what you want to accomplish, but make sure you also determine the when, where, and why of your vision – that way you can establish an action plan and set yourself on the right path to achieve your goal.
6. Lean on others for support and motivation
Achieving goals can be so much easier when done with others.
Consider joining groups or communities with similar goals to connect with people who can provide encouragement and accountability.
Join a challenge for the added support and follow through knowing you’re not alone in your pursuit.
7. Focus on progress not perfection and stay positive:
Emphasize the journey and strive for progress rather than aiming for perfection.
And be sure to reward yourself for the progress you do make.
For instance, if your goal is to lose 10 pounds, and you only lost five pounds, acknowledge the five pounds you lost were five more than before you started trying to lose weight.
The way we talk to ourselves can foster a positive and realistic outlook and contribute to a healthier approach to both mental health and success in meeting our New Year’s resolutions.
Time for action:
Take these thoughts and tips with you as you enter 2024 and set your sights on achieving a sense of betterment for yourself.
Following through on with these will help you commit to your resolution and achieving your goal.
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