New Year’s resolutions have a tendency to be made with enthusiasm and determination. Unfortunately, often they’re forgotten by the time February rolls around!
Here are 7 simple ways to make New Year’s resolutions that stick and help you accomplish your goals.
1. Think short term. For most people, making a resolution for the entire year is way too difficult. Instead, make your resolutions once per month; January resolutions, February resolutions, etc. They’re much easier to achieve and the accomplishments can be celebrated sooner. Plus, if you don’t quite reach what you want to accomplish in any given month, you can simply move that resolution into the next month–no more feeling so guilty that you have to wait an entire year to start over again!
2. Focus on a few. It’s nearly impossible to do everything you’ve always wanted to do in a short period of time. To be sure you don’t forget about the goals you’d like to accomplish, write them all down on a Master Goals List. Then, each month throughout the year, focus on the one or two that are most important to you. You won’t get overwhelmed and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
3. Make your resolutions s-m-a-r-t:
SPECIFIC: Your resolutions must be very specific. For instance, saying that you’d like to put aside some money each month is too general. However, saying that you’d like to put aside $50 from your paycheck in January, February and March is very specific.
MEASURABLE: Resolutions that are worked on and achieved, are those that can be measured and tracked. When you think of making a resolution, think in terms of numbers. Perhaps you’d like to lose weight. Thinking in numbers, you might state that you’d like to lose 5 pounds–one pound per month for 5 months. Or possibly you’d like to go on vacation. Thinking in numbers, you may decide that you’d like to save $100 per month toward a trip.
ATTAINABLE: You can certainly make challenging resolutions, but don’t make them so difficult that they’re going to be almost impossible to achieve. You can always break your resolution down into smaller goals. For instance, if you’d like to save $50 per month, make a resolution to set aside $12.50 each week.
REALISTIC: You might want to be a pro golfer this year, but if you haven’t even started training yet, then this resolution is going to be unrealistic and unattainable. Instead, set more realistic goals, such as taking a few basic golf lessons or playing golf once a week for practice.
TIMELY: The word ‘someday’ is indefinite. Yet, often people say they have so many things they’d like to accomplish … someday. Resolutions with no start or end date in mind never get accomplished. Be sure all of your resolutions have both a deadline, and a starting date.
4. Tell someone. It’s important to be motivated about the things you’d like to accomplish. When you make a resolution, tell your spouse or a friend. Tell a co-worker. Post a message on social media. You’ll be more determined to accomplish your goal if other people are keeping you accountable and cheering you on.
5. Give yourself some visuals. If you’re constantly staring your resolution in the face every day, you’re bound to keep it uppermost in your mind. If you’d like to lose weight, post a chart of your weekly weigh-in on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror. Want to go on a vacation? Post a photograph of your dream destination where you’re sure to see it throughout the day.
6. Conquer minor setbacks. There are so many things going on in your daily life, and you may experience a day or two when you lose track of the resolutions you set. That’s ok. Get right back on track. No need to wait until next year, or the 1st of next month. Simply start over and begin working on your resolution again.
7. Celebrate your victories. Celebrating your accomplishments along the way will give you the motivation to keep going! Set appropriate rewards for each mini-resolution you make, and have a small celebration for each one you achieve. Let’s say you’d like to put aside $10 per week in January. For every $10 you’re able to save at the end of each week, you might indulge yourself in an hour’s worth of free time to enjoy one of your hobbies. Reward yourself. You deserve it!
New Year’s resolutions usually deal with the areas of your life you would most like to change. By following these simple steps, you will be more likely to actually accomplish your goals! Happy New Year!
Linda K. Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.