One thing that everyone has or eventually will be guilty of is creating a New Year’s resolution that they want to achieve but either forget about, give up, or never even bother to begin with. Honestly, New Year’s resolutions are super common all over the world, regardless of what country you’re in. Usually, it’s more geared towards beauty or wellness, so you often see major sales for gym memberships, exercise equipment, athletic wear, tennis shoes, and the list can go on and on. With that said, however, how can you finally pick a New Year resolution that you’re confident in reaching? One that can be sustained and finally achieved? Well, here’s everything you need to know!
Take a Moment to Do Some Self Reflection
Before diving into the goal-setting process, take a moment to reflect on the past year. What achievements are you proud of? What areas would you like to improve? It doesn’t always have to be the generic ones that are out there, like weight loss or exercise; it can be whatever you want to achieve, not what others want from you.
Set Realistic Goals
Honestly, one reason why so many people fail at their resolution is primarily due to the fact that the goal itself isn’t all that realistic, or they want to achieve something so huge that it’s not really possible to do it in a span of a year. So, it’s going to be best for you to just go ahead and craft resolutions that align with your values and priorities, ensuring they are realistic and achievable- with a strong emphasis on this. Honestly, it’s going to be way better on you if you’re also able to just break down these larger goals into smaller, manageable steps to make progress more tangible.
Get Really Specific With Yourself
Alright, so when it comes to this, if you really want to sustain everything, than you’re going to need to be really specific with yourself. What exactly is the goal you want, and what exactly is it that you want to do to achieve it? For instance, rather than stating a broad resolution like “exercise more,” specify a target, such as “jog for 30 minutes three times a week.” This clarity provides a roadmap for success and allows you to track your progress.
So, if you want to lose weight, you’d tell yourself how much weight, what timeline for easy milestones, and how exactly you’ll reach each milestone. So, this could be like doing a certain exercise program three times a week, getting weight loss help from Moshy, cutting out certain unhealthy things, ect. The more specific you are, the easier it’s going to become.
What’s the Plan of Action?
So, this is going to tie in with the above. A well-thought-out plan is the backbone of successful resolutions. Define the actionable steps you need to take to achieve your goals. Whether it’s a daily routine, a weekly schedule, or monthly milestones, having a clear plan enhances your focus and provides a structured approach to realising your aspirations.
It Helps to Share Your Goals
It can be debated whether or not you should actually share your goals with others. The act of vocalising your intentions can create a sense of responsibility (depending on who you tell), and encouragement from others can be a powerful motivator during challenging times. If you feel comfortable enough with the idea, you could even get an accountability partner.
Track That Progress
For some things, it’s going to be easier than others to truly track. For instance, if you’re trying to lose weight, than you can easily track your progress with that, than maybe something like using your phone less before bedtime. But in general, regardless of goals, try to keep track. This could be a journal, a mobile app, or even a visual representation like a vision board. Another thing to note is the fact that by all means, you should try and celebrate small victories along the way, reinforcing your commitment and boosting your confidence to tackle the next steps.
You Should Consider Embracing Flexibility
Not everything is going to go according to plan; that’s just how life is. Besides, life is dynamic, and unexpected challenges may arise. Instead of viewing setbacks as failures, consider them learning opportunities. So, just go ahead and be flexible in adapting your strategies, and if necessary, adjust your goals to align with your current circumstances. The key is resilience and a willingness to persist despite obstacles.
Positivity is Going to Do Wonders
As stated just above, challenges are going to happen; you just can’t avoid these, no matter how much you want to. But with that said, however, some positivity is really going to help you stay on the wagon, even when the tough gets going. Focus on the progress you’ve made rather than dwelling on setbacks. Also, why not go ahead and practice self-compassion too?
