As always! Whenever a new year begins, most of us make resolutions about how we’ll work to improve our lives. However, most of us will abandon our New Year’s resolution before February comes or after a few days of trying it. We start out with good intentions but once January gets into full swing, we may start to lose focus—and our willpower.
This year, you can ensure that your New Year’s resolution isn’t made in vain. Just follow these strategies for sticking to your guns and you’ll find success in 2017.
Will this be the year you reach your goal?
1. Be Realistic
When you’re setting your goal, be sure that you’re not being too lofty. If you never go to the gym now, you probably won’t go every day starting in January. If you want to make a career change, you shouldn’t start applying to a bunch of jobs in a new field that you lack experience in. Be realistic. If you set yourself up for disappointment, you’ll certainly lose motivation after a couple of weeks of trying and failing.
2. Take Baby Steps
While you may want to go full steam ahead with your resolution, it’s probably a good idea to map out how you’ll get there in stages. That way, you’ll have a plan of action you can follow. Taking small steps each day, like resolving to take a walk during your lunch break or to research classes that can help you learn a new skill, will add up over time.
3. Don’t Quit When You Slip Up
Falling off the wagon is inevitable when you’re working on your New Year’s resolution. But just because you mess up, that doesn’t mean you should abandon your resolution altogether. Acknowledge that you took a step back and don’t beat yourself up about it. Small setbacks are a part of life and you can use this one as a chance to strengthen your resolve.
4. Enlist an Accountability Partner
To stay on track, it may help to ask a friend or family member to be your support system as you embark on your New Year’s resolution. This is someone who can check in with you to hear about your progress and who you can call on when you’re in need of inspiration. Having this person by your side, even figuratively, will encourage you to continue on, even when you’re having doubts about your own ability to keep going.
5. Reward Yourself Along the Way
All work and no play can make even those with the strongest resolve quit without reaching their goals. Make a point to celebrate your success often—the first week you start your resolution, the first month, and so on. If you’re working on a fitness-related goal, reward yourself with a cool new pair of yoga pants, make a delicious post-workout smoothie or start saving money to get yourself a fitness tracking device. Knowing you have a reward on the horizon will help you push yourself and reap the benefits of whatever it is you’re going to celebrate your success with.
The emphasis on realism when setting goals is crucial. It seems that many people overlook the importance of establishing achievable targets.
‘Mapping out stages’ transforms vague intentions into actionable plans, thereby enhancing one’s likelihood of success.
“Realistic expectations” are vital; they ensure that we do not set ourselves up for failure from the outset, especially when initiating changes in lifestyle or career.
Taking baby steps towards a goal is a wise strategy. It creates a sense of accomplishment and keeps motivation high.
Rewarding oneself during the journey towards achieving a resolution can be a powerful motivator. It introduces positive reinforcement into the process.
‘Positive reinforcement’ is a key concept in behavioral psychology that underscores this approach.
‘Celebrating small victories’ fosters a sense of accomplishment, which can be pivotal for long-term adherence to one’s resolutions.
I find the notion of having an accountability partner quite intriguing. The social dimension of goal-setting can certainly enhance motivation.
‘Mapping out stages’ to achieve larger goals exemplifies strategic thinking and planning in personal development.
The emphasis on setting realistic goals is crucial. One must consider their current capabilities before making ambitious resolutions to avoid discouragement.
Indeed, understanding one’s limitations can prevent the common pitfall of disappointment that arises from overly ambitious resolutions.
Absolutely, a well-structured approach allows for incremental progress which is often more sustainable.
The suggestion to take baby steps is particularly insightful. Gradual progress often leads to sustainable change rather than abrupt shifts in behavior.
‘Starting with realistic expectations’ seems like an obvious yet frequently neglected principle that could benefit many individuals seeking self-improvement.
‘Acknowledge your setbacks’ is a refreshing perspective that encourages self-compassion, which is vital for psychological well-being.
‘Enlisting an accountability partner’ appears to be an effective method for maintaining focus and motivation, as social support can be pivotal.
The point about not quitting after a slip-up resonates with many. Resilience in the face of setbacks is essential for long-term success.
“Falling off the wagon” is indeed part of the journey; how one responds defines their ultimate success.
“Rewarding oneself” seems to be an underappreciated strategy in achieving resolutions; positive reinforcement can boost morale significantly.
‘Don’t quit when you slip up’ resonates deeply with the human experience. Resilience is often more valuable than perfection.