Just about everyone makes a few New Years’ Resolutions on New Year’s Eve. Unfortunately, by around the first week in January of the following year, most of those resolutions are broken. Fewer than one in ten people actually sticks to their resolutions and makes a significant change in their lives.
If you’ve made one or more resolutions this year and you’re determined to turn over a new leaf, here are some simple things you can do to increase your chances of keeping them:
Keep It Simple – Don’t make a whole laundry list of resolutions for yourself. Pick the one thing that’s most important for you to change in the year ahead and stick with that.
Clearly Define Your Goal – A lot of people make “squishy” New Year’s Resolutions. “I want to lose weight in the year ahead” is not a good goal. “I want to lose 30 pounds this year” is much better because it’s realistic and much more specific.
Reward Yourself – Set a specific, modest goal and when you meet it, treat yourself to something as a reward. It doesn’t have to be anything big or fancy, but a reward for a job well done is a great way to motivate yourself.
Get Support From Family And Friends – Explain to your family and your friends what you’re doing and why it matters to you. Get them in your corner. Get them to help and support you. Doing that makes it a whole lot easier to actually achieve whatever goal you have in mind.
Don’t Let Setbacks Throw You Off Track – Setbacks happen. Progress never occurs in a straight line. When the inevitable happens and you stumble, don’t let it get to you. Pick yourself back up, dust yourself off and keep striving toward your goal.
If you follow the simple steps above, you’ll radically increase your chances of meeting whatever goal you set for yourself to ring in the new year.