New Year’s Resolutions

January is the start of a new year and an opportunity to turn a new page. The new year is a fresh start and a chance to change bad habits and create new routines to help you grow emotionally, socially, and physically. However, many people fail to keep their resolutions. So, what can you do to make it more likely that you will keep your resolution this year? Below are some tips to help you. 

Picking a Specific Goal:
It is important to focus on something concrete that you can realistically accomplish. For example, instead of setting a goal to lose weight, commit to losing ten pounds. Make sure your goal is achievable. This will help give you the opportunity to figure out how you are going to accomplish your goal over time. 

Limit Your Resolutions:

Tons of people have a long list of goals after the New Year. Picking just one goal will allow you to focus your energy rather than spreading yourself among too many options. Taking on too much can be overwhelming and unrealistic. Conversely, focusing on one specific goal makes keeping your resolution more achievable. 

Put Time Into Planning: 

Avoid waiting until the last minute to make your goal. Picking your goal wisely and putting time into planning are essential to making your goal achievable. Make a detailed plan to help stick to your goal. This is critical for success because it allows you to consider how you will handle the challenges. Without a plan in place, you are likely to give up more easily. By knowing what you want to accomplish and how you will do it, you will be better prepared to follow through with your resolution. 

Renew Your Motivation: 

Many people are highly motivated in the first days of their resolution, however after time, your motivation to keep your resolution may start to fade. When you face these moments, remind yourself why you are doing this. Keep a list of what you can gain by achieving your goal. Find sources that will keep you inspired to help you keep going when times get tough. 

Learn and Adapt:

Encountering a setback is a common occurrence, and many times the reason people give up on their resolution. If you relapse or have a setback, do not view it as a failure. There is not always a straight path and there are often challenges, but these setbacks are learning opportunities. Trying to understand the challenge will help you to deal with them in the future. Sometimes, the difference between success and failure is choosing the right goal and the process you use to achieve it. 

Lexi Schwartz MSW LSW