It’s almost the New Year — a time to reflect and to aspire to accomplish meaningful goals that will improve your health and happiness for the year to come. It all sounds like a good plan, but the tough part is actually keeping those New Year’s resolutions past January.
The following are a few ways to make and keep New Year’s resolutions that are actually attainable and realistic. A new year equals a fresh start and once you have mastered these few steps, you will be well-equipped to follow through on your resolution — this time for good.
Let the countdown begin and let’s raise a glass for the year that was and the year that is to come. With these tips in mind, here’s to making 2013 a year to remember.
Be Specific
Another big mistake people commonly make is in setting goals that are too difficult to achieve. Instead of simple saying, “I want to lose weight”, make your resolutions specific, with a tangible outcome. Determine exactly how much weight you want to lose and what you have to do to hit that goal. It also helps to have something positive to repeat like “I can” or “I will”, either in your own head or out loud. Staying positive and being specific about what you want will help keep you on track towards making your goal a reality.
Write it down
Write down you resolutions and outline every small step that you will need to take in order to accomplish them. If you set a big goal without a step-by-step plan, the work can become overwhelming and frustrating. By planning and attaining each small step, negative thoughts can be avoided, and it will become easier for you to stay focused and positive.
Leave the doubt behind
There is no need for negativity in the New Year, so leave all that doubt in the past where it belongs. Pay attention to self-sabotaging thoughts like, “I can’t do it.” Nerves and fear can be normal, but to make progress, it is important to move past any feelings of hesitation. If negative thoughts begin to surface, take a deep breath and stay in control. Start building positive thoughts to help support your goals, and you will likely begin to see successful results.
Make time
One excuse that many people make is that they don’t have enough time to stick to their resolutions. By creating a schedule and setting aside ample time to achieve your goals, there will be no need for excuses. For example, if you want to exercise more, set aside time for jogging or going to the gym in your weekly schedule. You can avoid feeling overwhelmed by staying organized; making a schedule will help you keep track of your progress.
