Before writing this post, I consulted friends and family to gauge their overall attitude toward new year’s resolutions. Unsurprisingly, the response was pretty universal:
“I don’t believe in new year’s resolutions.”
“Why set yourself up for failure?”
“You just feel worse about yourself when you fall off the wagon.”
Bah humbug, right? As someone that believes in the magic of new beginnings, I’m here to say that new year’s resolutions don’t have to elicit an eyeroll. Instead, with the right approach, resolutions can actually work to your advantage.
Read on for my best tips on how to form (and master) your resolutions this year!
1. Focus on one resolution at a time.
“New year, new me!” are the exact words you should avoid. Ditch the laundry list of resolutions and Tony Robbins quotes. Alright, fine, the quotes can stay. However, it is important to focus on 1 goal at a time. Choose something important to you, make it a priority, and do your best to master it before you move onto resolution #2. Experts say it takes at least 3 weeks to form a habit and at least 2 months before that habit becomes automatic.
2. Be specific.
It’s common for people to say things like, “This year I want to eat healthier,” or “This year I will work out more.” Instead, be specific with your goals and you’ll be far more likely to accomplish them.
For example, my #1 goal this year is to be prompt. Well, I’m facing an uphill battle unless I get specific, right?
Therefore, in order to be prompt, I will: 1) Start getting ready 30 minutes earlier than I think I need to 2) Leave 15 minutes before I think I need to (I will set an alarm on my phone for this!). If I’m early or have minutes to spare before heading out the door, that is fine! I’d rather over correct than risk perpetuating a bad habit.
3. Be realistic.
Be realistic with your capabilities and remember that it’s okay to start small and work your way toward your ultimate goal. For example, your resolution could be to save 20% of your paycheck each month. Well, if you’re used to living paycheck to paycheck, you might want to scale that number down. Instead, set aside a couple hundred dollars each month (or whatever you’re able to) and adjust your lifestyle accordingly. Then, scale up when you’re ready.
4. Ride it out.
If you follow the above steps, you’re much more likely achieve your goals. Remember to focus on 1 goal at time, break that goal down to manageable parts, be realistic with yourself, and show yourself a little patience! You got dis. 🙂
What are your resolutions this year? I’d love to hear!
