A new year is just around the corner, and with it comes fresh opportunities to make some exciting goals for ourselves–goals most like to label as New Year’s resolutions (but well just call them Bold Goals, right?). Getting back in shape and losing weight are the most common New Year’s resolutions. Some make it their goal to save more money, spend more time with their loved ones, and devote more time for self-care.
But here’s the kicker. While half of Americans list down New Year’s resolutions at the start of the year, according to a study, only 8% are able to stick to their list. Despite all good intentions, people tend to let go of their commitment in as early two weeks.
Yes, you read that right. The life span of New Year’s resolutions lasts only up to January 15. Understandably, staying on course can be difficult. As our New Year’s resolutions fall off one by one, all aspirations to be healthier and be more financially organized are woefully abandoned.
Yet, this doesn’t have to be the case. There are ways to make our new year’s resolutions work and achieve the bold goals we set for ourselves.
New Year’s Resolutions: How to make it Work
- In reality, any form of change entails friction and some form of resistance. To make these changes happen, self-discipline plays a huge role. It can be easy to slide back to our usual ways. Every day, your resolve will be challenged. Thus, sheer willpower and focus should be cultivated and the commitment to stick to the goal must be strong. True, that slice of moist chocolate cake is difficult to resist. But stay on course because the taste of success is much, much sweeter.
- The kind of goals we set for ourselves is crucial, too. We make the mistake of listing down too many, too difficult, and too vague New Year’s resolutions. Ideally, we shouldn’t be setting more than three goals. Perhaps, we can set one for each aspect of our life –health, relationship, and finances. Look at your priorities. Which part of your life needs urgent attention now? And remember, once you’ve accomplished one goal. You are free to add more as you move throughout the year.
- Additionally, goals must be as specific as possible. Questions like how much, for how long, and what specific steps to take must be specified to achieve your goals. Small wins compound to bigger wins. Track down your progress against the goal. With a clear view of the terrain and a measure of how you are faring, you can plan how to take on each resolution.
- There is no rule stating that change should commence at the beginning of the year. Give yourself a head start by planning and setting your goal before the end of the year. Start as early as you can. Set a dry-run period to test your goals. Doing so gives you a chance to tweak your new year’s resolutions. Be sure to modify your goals to a level where they are challenging yet achievable.
- Most New Year’s resolutions fail because we tend to implement the change too abruptly. Starting early will help you slowly ease into your new year goals. Remember, that you are trying to change habits. Naturally, habits that were developed over time will also take more time to reverse or change. Use the last days of the year as an adjustment period. By January 1, you have already trained your system to follow a new set of habits.
Start the Year with a Bang: Conquer Your New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s resolutions have great potential to introduce positive changes in our lives. Likewise, when set and done right, New Year’s resolutions can help up us feel more empowered and confident. Why is this so? Because seeing our personal goals take shape before our eyes is the ultimate confidence-booster.
Start by crafting a new year’s resolution that’s achievable and measurable. Be as accurate as possible in tracking your progress. But don’t be too harsh on yourself whenever you veer off course. Stand up, dust yourself up and continue with the journey. So, go ahead, envision a healthier, happier, and more fulfilled year ahead of you. Create your New Year’s Resolution now.
