Hey there, goal-getters! New Year, new you, right? We’ve all been there—pumped up on January 1st, armed with a list of resolutions that scream “This is MY year!” Fast forward a few weeks, and suddenly that gym membership is collecting dust, and the salad you swore by has been replaced by pizza. Fear not! I have a couple of Tips to keep New Year’s resolutions stick
Tips to keep New Year’s resolutions stick
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Set Realistic Goals: Start by setting goals that are challenging but achievable. Wanting to lose weight is cool, but saying you’ll drop 50 pounds by February might set you up for disappointment. Break your big goals into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate the little victories—they add up! Changing habits is not easy in the beginning. You have to change the things you’ve been doing for years probably. Take it easy in the beginning, take time to get used to your new routine.
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Create a Plan: Fail to plan, plan to fail. Seriously, though. Outline the steps you need to take to reach your goals. If it’s fitness, plan your workouts. If it’s a career move, draft a step-by-step plan to get there. Having a roadmap makes the journey less overwhelming. Know when you are going to exercise etc. If you want to eat healthier, make a list of things you can buy and go to the supermarket when you are full.
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Accountability Buddies: Share your goals with someone who will cheer you on and keep you in check. Having a buddy in the resolution game not only makes it more fun but also adds a layer of accountability. You’re less likely to hit snooze on that early morning jog if you know your friend is waiting for you. Or maybe you can send each other motivational messages in the morning. Sometimes it is more fun and a little bit easier when you have a friend who supports, motivates, and helps you.
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Be Adaptable: Life is a wild ride, and sometimes it throws curveballs. Instead of throwing in the towel when things don’t go as planned, be adaptable. Adjust your goals if needed, but never lose sight of the bigger picture. If you can’t work out in the morning, because you slept in or something else happened. Just do it later. Just go with the flow of life.
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Track Your Progress: Keep tabs on your journey. Whether it’s a fitness journal, a savings tracker, or a simple checklist, visually seeing your progress is a powerful motivator. Plus, it gives you a chance to pat yourself on the back for how far you’ve come. The easiest way is to find a habit tracker app. You can immediately cross off something on the list whenever and wherever you want.
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Reward Yourself: Treat yourself! Achieving milestones along the way deserves a celebration. If you hit a fitness goal, maybe it’s a cheat day with your favorite dessert. If it’s a career win, perhaps a weekend getaway is in order. Rewards keep the journey exciting and give you something to look forward to. Or just treat yourself to something different. Maybe you like to read, buy a new book for yourself when you achieve something.
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Learn from Setbacks:
Spoiler alert: setbacks will happen. Don’t let them derail your entire mission. Instead, learn from them. What went wrong? How can you avoid it in the future? Treat setbacks as opportunities to grow and adjust your game plan accordingly. A helpful tip is to keep a journal for yourself on this journal. Write everything down and reflect. This helps me so much. -
Consistency Over Perfection:
It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being consistent. Did you skip a workout? So what! Get back on the horse the next day. Consistency builds habits, and habits lead to lasting change. And don’t be too hard on yourself if you fail. You can make better decisions the next day. -
Visualize Success: Picture yourself reaching your goals. The power of visualization is no joke. When you can see yourself succeeding, it becomes easier to put in the work to get there. Create a mental image of your success and keep it in mind when the going gets tough. Visualizing yourself achieving your goals also makes you excited. Sometimes you can use that extra motivation.
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Have Fun: Lastly, have fun with it! Resolutions are about self-improvement, but that doesn’t mean the journey has to be a slog. Inject joy into your pursuits, and you’ll find that sticking to your resolutions becomes a lot less daunting. Life should be fun and not torture. This also means if you think you really don’t like lifting weights in the gym, find a different way of exercising.
So, there you have it—your guide to conquering those resolutions. Remember, it’s not about a flawless start; it’s about a determined finish. Go crush it, and make 2023 the year you look back on with a proud grin and say, “Yep, I did that!” 🚀💪 #ResolutionCrusher
Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash