New Year’s Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It’s a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. However, New Year’s resolutions are tricky. When they are too specific or too unachievable, we inevitably abandon them.
Popular New Year’s resolutions around the world
•Lose weight
•Manage debt/save money
•Get a better job
•Get fit
•Eat right
•Get a better education
•Drink less alcohol
•Quit smoking
•Reduce stress overall and/or at work
•Take a trip
•Volunteer to help others
Focus on One Resolution
One of the first mistakes people make is planning too many resolutions. Focus all your motivation in one.
Be specific
To be effective, resolutions and goals need to be pretty specific.
Be Realistic
The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make your goal unattainable.
Find a role model
A role model is useful as it provides something to aspire to. It also shows us that what we are trying is possible despite how hard it might seem.
Make Time
Be sure to set aside ample time for yourself to achieve your goals.
Make a plan
Rather than stating one daunting goal, create a series of smaller steps to reach it.
Writing down your resolutions is a positive step towards achieving them.
•What do I want to change and by when?
•Why must I make this change?
•What are the steps I need to take?
•Who can support me?
•How will I motivate myself?
Write down the goal and visualize it regularly
Writing and visualizing are effective tools for fulfilling a goal because they fix it firmly in the subconscious.
Make a “Pros” and “Cons” List
It may help to see a list of items on paper to keep your motivation strong. Develop this list over time, and ask others to contribute to it. Keep your list with you and refer to it when you need help keeping your resolve.
In a world that is more focused on getting than giving, a New Year’s Resolution to do one kind thing each day or to give thanks in one small way is a pretty radical act.
Turn a negative into a positive
Turn around some of the negativity that clouds our minds every day into something more productive.
Baby steps
Break down a big goal in to smaller, more achievable fragments. This will help to track your progress and make a seemingly insurmountable target more attainable.
Track Your Progress
Keep track of each small success. Short-term goals are easier to keep, and each small accomplishment will help keep you motivated.
Get an app
There is an app that can help with every resolution. Check Out our latest article > 10 apps which help you achieve your 2015 new year’s resolutions
Stick to It
Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity to become a habit and 6 months for it to become part of your personality. It won’t happen overnight, so be persistent and patient!
Reward yourself
Treat yourself for meeting goals, even small ones.
Don’t Forget To Enjoy The Journey
Remember to have fun with the process.
What are your New Year’s resolutions? I would love to hear back from you about the resolutions you have made, refined and achieved!
Happy 2015!
