Tips For Practicing New Year’s Resolutions
The Year of Change
New Year’s resolution is a great opportunity for taking stock of the just ended year and plan new goals for the new one. It is so unfortunate that more than 75% of people will have failed to stick to their resolution by the start of February. Some commitments that are life-changing can be challenging to fully commit to. This is a sign that something is going wrong with the process if the majority turn out to be failures within the first few weeks.
The problem begins with the resolutions that we make. Setting unrealistic goals like shed 20 pounds in 2 months or drop an addiction the cold turkey way are not part of the realistic New Year’s resolutions. They are hard to make and thus they may not give the motivation that you need. However, resolutions are achievable if specific, measurable, significant, and time-bound.
Start Right Away
Though making some good resolutions is crucial, it is important to stick to them but this becomes the hardest part. To get you moving, you don’t have to wait around when January arrives. You should immediately start practicing your New Year’s resolution right away.
A number of factors interact and that is why most people are unable to stick to their New Year’s resolutions. Most people often try to take too much and they want results very fast. For instance, you want to shed 20 pounds in a month by working out every day and eating only salads, just a month after the holiday season. Are you not setting up yourself to fail?
Don’t Expect Too Much
People find it difficult to stick to their New Year’s resolutions because they expect an immediate reward. A recent study from the University of Chicago found that people often fail to keep to their long-term goals due to delayed gratification. The first few weeks of doing something new are the worst mostly because you lack the experience.
Drop “all-or-nothing” Approach
Most people use all-or-nothing approach when crafting their New Year’s resolutions. Their target is to go from zero to 100 without warming up or consulting with the reality. If you haven’t exercised for years, resolving to hit the gym every day to shed those extra pounds may sound like a joke. It’s not practical and you are subject to fail miserably. It is good to reassess your goals and keep in mind that there’s always another chance.
How To Make and Achieve New Year’s Resolutions
Do you know you can find the ideal resolutions to improve your life, come up with realistic plans, and become a part of the small population that will succeed in 2020?
Plan Early
Chances are that you have worked toward achieving your new goals for some time. You have some deeper understanding of what your resolutions will do. If you haven’t warmed up yet, get familiar on how you should navigate the pitfalls and keep focused on the end results.
Set realistic goals
When drafting your New Year’s resolutions, set realistic ones that you can achieve. This will help you stay focused and increase your chances of achieving them. According to the American Psychological Association, focusing on one goal at a time can lead to long-term success.
Focus on Progress
Tracking your progress along the way is very important. This can be done by putting it into writing and noting down to find out if you are progressing or not. This will help you to make necessary changes to a healthy behavior until you identify your baseline.
Share your resolutions
Tell someone about your New Year’s resolutions to get motivated and feel accountable. You can share with trusted friends who will encourage and enable you to stick with your goals. You can also join a support group if you have access to one.
Set up an encouraging environment
Setting up an encouraging physical environment along with a positive support group is paramount toward achieving your New Year’s resolution. This implies having all the tools to help you stay in the right mindset.
Don’t rush
Change cannot happen overnight. Taking small steps on a daily basis is a guaranteed way to make sure that you are making progress toward your goals. You can gradually aim higher and you will find that your habits become enjoyable after a couple of weeks.
Keep pushing if you slip
Consistency and persistence are essential toward the achievement of your New Year’s resolution but you may slip. If that happens, don’t let go all your efforts or your resolutions. Simply forgive yourself and try to get back on the track as soon as possible.
Set some other date
You don’t have to always start on your resolutions on January 1st. Most people who feel the pressure to make changes at the start of the New Year experience a lot of pressure which often leads to short-lasting goals and severed commitment in the realization of positive changes.
Final Word
All the best and happy 2020!
It is easy to set New Year’s resolutions but sticking with them is quite tricky. Although many people end up failing, don’t let that be a source of discouragement. We are all different and you stand a better chance of being among the few who will succeed this year.