Every year, we all make the same promises to ourselves. We're going to get in shape, be more organized, and spend more time with family and friends.
The new year is surely a time for new beginnings. It's a time to set goals and resolutions and work hard to achieve them.
But just how many of us manage to keep our New Year's resolutions?
If you're like most people, you set some New Year's resolutions for yourself at the beginning of the year. But by now, almost three months into 2022, you may be starting to lose steam on them.
Keeping your resolutions can be tough, especially if you don't have a plan of action.
Luckily, we've put together some tips that will help you stay on track and achieve your goals this year. So read on and get started!
What is a New Year's resolution?
A new years resolution is a goal that you set for yourself at the beginning of a new year. It can be wanting to lose weight to saving money to learning a new skill.
The important thing is that you make sure your resolution is something that YOU want to do and not something that someone else wants you to do.
According to countryliving.com, here are the most common new year's resolutions this year:
- Lose weight
- Eat healthier or change diet
- Get fitter and take more exercise
- Spend more time with family and friends
- Be more aware and take care of mental health
- Sort out finances and cut back spending
- Travel more
- Take up a new hobby, sport, or other interest
- Be more environmentally friendly
- Look for a new job
But how do you actually stick to your resolution? Here are some tips:
Make a plan
This may seem like common sense, but if you don't have a plan, then it's going to be tough to stay on track.
Figure out what steps you need to take in order to reach your goal, and put them into writing. Then, each day/week/month, make sure to check off the steps that you've completed.
Set realistic goals
One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to resolutions is setting unrealistic goals.
If your goal is something that's impossible for you to achieve, then you're just going to end up feeling frustrated and disappointed.
Instead, set realistic goals that you know you can actually accomplish. This way, you'll be more likely to succeed, and you won't feel as though you're failing.
Clarify your resolutions
Another way to make sure you stick to your resolution is to clarify it in the first place.
Make sure that your goal is really specific and measurable so that you can track your progress along the way.
And if you find that your original resolution isn't working for you, don't be afraid to change it up!
There is no wrong way to achieve your goals, as long as you're trying your best, you are on your way to reaching your goals in no time!
Find a support system
It can be really helpful to have someone who is also looking into reaching the same goal as you. They can provide encouragement when things get tough, and they can also hold you accountable.
Don't give up
Remember, it's not going to be easy, but it's definitely worth it in the end! Just because you slip once does not mean you're doomed for failure. Pick yourself back up and keep going.
Tell other people about your resolution
One of the best ways to stick to your resolution is to tell other people about it. This way, you'll have extra accountability, and you'll also be less likely to back out.
Plus, it's always fun to share your goals with others and see how they're doing in comparison!
Take small steps
When it comes to sticking to your resolution, it's important to take small steps.
If you try to do too much at once, you're going to get overwhelmed and give up.
Instead, focus on one or two small tasks that you can complete each day/week/month, and slowly work your way up from there. Soon enough, you'll be on your way to reaching your goals in no time!
Track your progress
It can be really helpful to track your progress when it comes to sticking to your resolution. This way, you will be able to see how far you've come, and it will also motivate you to keep going.
There are a lot of different ways to do this, so find one that works best for you and stick with it!
Set a deadline
This is another way to help make sure that you stay on track. If you have a date by which you want to achieve your goal, then you'll be more likely to push yourself and stay focused.
Don't give in to criticism.
One of the biggest challenges when it comes to sticking to your resolution is dealing with criticism.
It's natural for people to doubt you, especially if they don't know what your goal is. But do not let their negativity get to you; stay focused on what's important and push through.
Remember, you are doing this for yourself, not anyone else!
Follow-through
One of the most essential things when it comes to sticking to your resolution is following through.
This means doing everything in your power not to give up when things get tough. It's normal to have setbacks; everyone makes mistakes sometimes.
But as long as you pick yourself back up and keep going, you'll be fine. Just remember: Rome wasn't built in a day!
Know when to take a break
Finally, it's really important to know when to take a break.
If you've been working really hard towards your goal and you feel like you're not making any progress, then it might be time to take a step back.
This doesn't mean that you've failed; it just means that you need to regroup and come up with a new plan. Don't get discouraged; just keep going, and gradually reach your goal.
Reward yourself
Last but not least, reward yourself along the way! This is a great way to keep your motivation high and make sure that you don't get burnt out.
The moment you reach a certain milestone, treat yourself to something that you really enjoy. This will help keep you excited and motivated to continue working hard.
Conclusion
It's almost the end of February and if you've been slacking on your New Year's resolutions, don't worry, there's still time to turn things around. Just use these tips to help keep you on track. How are you doing with your resolutions? Have you been able to stick with them so far?