It happens every year. Well-meaning individuals make New Year’s resolutions too lofty and too overwhelming for even the most disciplined left-brain, type-A personality to accomplish. According to recent research, 75% of people making resolutions almost never succeed. Still, the prospect of improving one's life and image tempts people to resolve to change something starting January 1. Improve your chances with these tips for succeeding at New Year's resolutions.
Be Specific
Often, popular New Year’s resolutions are general aspirations shared by many people. Lose weight, quit smoking and improve finances top the list. While commendable, these open-ended goals have no structure making them difficult to live up to. To combat this issue, choose one idea and come up with a specific goal that lets you achieve it. If you want to lose weight, determine a healthy weight range and resolve to reach it. By doing this, you know exactly what you are working toward and at what point the goal is reached.
Set up Reminders
Many resolutions fail to make it past the month of January. Even if they are realistic, people are busy and working toward a resolution can fall to the bottom of to-do lists. Prevent this scenario by setting up reminders of your goal at the beginning of the year. Stick a note on the refrigerator, bathroom mirror or anywhere you will see it every day. In addition, writing the resolution in a calendar or planner serves as an immediate reminder each time a new month starts.
Make a Plan
It is hard to succeed at New Year’s resolutions without also devising a way to achieve it. To plan a successful resolution, think of lifestyle changes and different tasks that must be completed first. Then write them down. Having these steps in writing prevents becoming overwhelmed by one lofty goal. Because everything is planned, you always know what to work on.
Reward Yourself
As items are checked off the resolution plan, do not forget to reward yourself for getting one step closer to the goal. Treat yourself to a fancy coffee or a pedicure. Buy a new pair of shoes or play a round of golf. It does not matter what it is as long as you feel proud about sticking to the plan of resolution.
It seems resolutions are made to be broken. After all, three out of four people resolving to change fail. By making plans to reach a concrete goal, it is easier to succeed at New Year’s resolutions.
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