So, the new year is approaching and you are ready for change. That’s great! I’m proud of you for recognizing where you can improve your life because the first step to recovery is recognizing that there is a problem.
Maybe you want to lose weight, start eating healthier, spend less money, or stop smoking. Change is definitely possible. It takes approximately three weeks to form a habit. So the best way to achieve your goals is to start today.
Unfortunately, statistics show that 50% of us will not reach our New Year’s resolutions. But that does not have to be case with you! Here are a few tips that will help you stick to your resolution and achieve your goals.
1. Make a plan
Many successful and wise people believe that failing to plan equates to planning to fail. It is great advice to write out a plan for your New Year’s resolution. You can start by examining your mistakes and failures of the past and use them to formulate new, good habits. Write out a plan and commit to it everyday.
2. Create goals that are achievable
You don’t want to set yourself up for failure by having unrealistic goals. Challenge yourself, but stay grounded and focused.
3. Take it one day at a time
Sometimes you may feel your goals are too difficult to reach because of impatience. Please, don’t become overwhelmed and delay your progress. Create small goals that focus on the process of success that will lead you to that final victory. Remember that it took time to get into your situation and it will take time to get out.
4. Tackle only the resolutions of TOP priority
So you’ve created a long list of goals and feel like you must cross off every single item, even if some of them conflict with one another. There’s a good chance that you have challenged yourself to frustration with your audacious goals. My best advice is to cut down your list to something more manageable. Limiting your desired achievements is a practical approach to victory. Try to tackle that goal that will make the most immediate impact in your life. It’s all up to you.
5. Get specific
New Year’s goals that are too vague are not measurable. You want to be able to measure your progress daily to stay motivated. If your goal is to lose weight, be specific with how you want to lose it. For example, “I will lose 20 pounds in six months by exercising and eating more plant-based foods regularly” is a specific and realistic goal. Of course, one would make it even more specific by creating a workout routine and daily diet plan. Once a uniquely tailored routine is discovered, it should be easier to stick to the plan everyday until the goal is reached.