How To Stick To Your New Year’s Resolution

Do you have a New Year's Resolution? You don't have to be one of the many people whose New Year's resolutions fail this year.

Here's how to devise a strategy for achieving the perfect resolution to better your life, and become a member of the select group of individuals who do achieve success.

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1. Why Do We Make Resolutions?

Many resolutions fail because people do not make the right resolutions. A resolution may be incorrect for one of three reasons:

• It's a resolution made in response to what another person (or society) is advising you to alter.
• It's far too ambiguous.
• You lack a feasible strategy for reaching your resolution.

Many people vow to “reduce weight,” be more productive, or get in shape in the new year.

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It is a good one, but a vague one. You'll have a better chance of succeeding if you pick a goal that is attainable and specific.

Your objectives should be SMART. This is an abbreviation meaning specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound that was coined in 1981 in the journal Management Review. It may be effective for management, but it may also be effective for creating resolutions.

Specific: Your resolution should be unambiguous. It is critical to have a specific objective in mind rather than merely generically stating, “I want to lose weight.”

You want to have a goal in mind: how much weight do you want to lose and at what interval? Katherine L. Milkman, an associate professor of operations research and choices at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. “Five pounds over the next two months will be more effective.”

Measurable: This may seem self-evident if your aim is fitness or weight loss, but it's also critical if you're trying to make a sacrifice.

If you wish to stop biting your nails, for example, take pictures of them over time to monitor your progress in growing them back out, according to Jeffrey Gardere, a psychologist, and professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Maintaining a notebook or keeping notes on your phone or in an app meant to track actions can help encourage progress, regardless of the resolution.

Achievable: This is not to say that lofty goals cannot be set. A step too quickly can leave you frustrated or affect other areas of your life to the point where your resolution takes over—and you, your friends, and family members all flail.

Thus, while committing to saving enough money to retire in five years at the age of thirty is unlikely to be possible, saving an additional $100 every month maybe. (And if that's too simple, you may increase that figure to an additional $200, $300, or $400 per month).

Relevant: Is this a truly meaningful goal for you, and are you pursuing it for the right reasons? According to Dr. Michael Bennett, “If you do it out of self-hatred, guilt, or a great passion at the moment, it rarely lasts long,”.

However, if you develop a process in which you think more deeply about what is good for you, alter the structure of your life, and surround yourself with others who will reinforce that resolution, I believe you have a fighting chance.”

Time-bound: As with “achievable,” the timeframe for achieving your goal should be reasonable. That implies allowing yourself enough time to complete it while also setting numerous smaller intermediate goals along the way.

Charles Duhigg, author of “The Power of Habit” and a former New York Times reporter, advised: “Focus on these tiny victories to ensure gradual growth.” When you're developing a habit, you're thinking about the next decade, not the next few months.

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2. How To Stick To Your New Year's Resolution

The following suggestions may assist you in beating the odds and achieving your desired level of success. They will help you keep your next New Year's resolution.

Select a Specific Objective.

Instead of choosing an ambiguous objective, narrow your attention to something more tangible that you can reasonably set your sights on instead. To put it another way, set a goal that is very focused and attainable.

Take, for example, making a commitment to losing 10 pounds, creating daily to-do lists, or completing a mini-marathon. Make sure that your goal is attainable rather than impossible to achieve.

Choosing a concrete, attainable objective also provides you with the opportunity to map out exactly how you want to achieve (and maintain) your goal throughout the course of the year, which is beneficial.

Limit Your Resolutions.

While you may have a large list of prospective New Year's resolutions, Richard Wiseman, a professor of psychology at Hertfordshire University, recommends that you choose only one and concentrate your efforts on it rather than spreading yourself too thin across a number of various aims.

Concentrate on achieving one goal at a time.

Achieving even a little objective might help you gain more confidence in yourself. When setting larger goals, consider breaking them down into smaller portions and working on them one at a time.

Taking on too much at once might be intimidating. It can be particularly tough because changing one's behavioral habits takes time and persistent effort. Maintaining a resolution is considerably more possible when you concentrate on a single aim.

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Start With Small Steps.

Many New Year's resolutions fail due to taking on too much too soon. Your plans will be derailed if you begin an unsustainable diet, overdo it in the gym, or drastically modify your typical behavior. Instead, focus on small steps that will eventually help you attain your bigger goal.

Small Steps Lead To Success

Begin training for a marathon by jogging twice or three times per week. Gradually increase the distance and number of times you run.

If you're aiming to eat healthily, begin by substituting more nutritious items for less nutritious ones. Begin by increasing your vegetable intake, decreasing your portion size, and limiting your intake of fried foods or eating out.

This gradual approach makes it easier to maintain new healthy habits and increases the likelihood of long-term success.

Put Time Into Planning

Don't leave goal-setting to the last minute. Any goal can be achieved with wise determination and sufficient planning. Experts advise you to plan your big behavior change, including the actions you will take, why you want to do it, and how you will stay on track.

Make a thorough plan.

A written plan can assist you in reaching your goal. Why is this stage so vital? It permits you to plan your response to challenges. What methods will you employ to keep going when things get tough?

Without a plan, you may rapidly give up when presented with an obstacle, setback, or resistance. For example, if your objective is to run three times each week, what happens if you skip four days in a row, or if you become sick or injured?

Begin by writing down your goal, establishing a list of possible steps to attain it, and identifying any potential roadblocks. Knowing what you want to achieve and the obstacles you may face will help you stay focused and overcome obstacles.

Avoid Repeating Past Mistakes

One way to keep your New Year's resolution is to not make the same one every year. “People can do it if they believe they can, but if they've already tried and failed, their confidence will be low,” Wiseman told The Guardian.

If you want to achieve the same goals you've tried before, evaluate your previous results. Which tactics worked best? Which were ineffective? Why haven't you kept your resolutions in the past?

Modify your resolution to make it more feasible. Change your approach and you'll see results this year.

Embrace the process.

People often lose sight of the experience because they are so caught up in the struggle. But without thankfulness, you won't be able to learn from your mistakes and avoid repeating them in the future.

Achieving any goal is difficult. Consistency, perseverance, and hard work are required. There is no easy way to attain something worthwhile — you must do it. It's vital to stay grateful even when it's difficult and testing.

Many people do not get to do what they want. Be thankful for the chance to pursue your aspirations and achieve your goals. Keeping a gratitude notebook is a terrific way to remember why it's necessary to keep going.

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It's important to remember that change is a process.

Those harmful or unwanted habits that you are attempting to modify are likely to have developed over a period of years; therefore, expecting to change them in a matter of days, weeks, or months is unrealistic. Allow yourself to be patient with yourself.

It is important to recognize that achieving your goal will be a journey. In the event that you make a blunder or two, you may always reset and continue on your path to your destination.

Even though it may take longer than you would want to attain your objectives, keep in mind that this is not a sprint to the finish line. Once you have taken the decision to change a behavior, it is possible that you will continue to work on it for the remainder of your days and years.

Create a support system.

When attempting to attain your goals, it helps to have support around you. Those who are aware of your plans can help you stick to them so you cross the finish line. It’s also a terrific way to hold yourself accountable when working hard is the last thing you want to do.

Whether you share similar goals or not, having supportive individuals in your life to cheer you on makes all the difference. You can also build a buddy system where you and a friend update and encourage each other’s objectives and progress.

When you can share your triumphs with others, it’s extra motivation to keep pushing to see the end product.

Renew Your Drive

You'll probably feel confident and motivated to achieve your New Year's resolution aim in the early days of the year. Making this shift may appear too easy because you haven't experienced any hardship or temptation.

That early morning gym trip or gritting your teeth through nicotine withdrawal symptoms may have you questioning your resolve to keep your New Year's resolution.

Then remind yourself of your motivation. Consider (or make a note of) what you stand to gain by reaching your objective. Finding inspiration during difficult times might help.

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Keep Working on Your Goals.

Many people have lost their January motivation by March. Work on your goals despite setbacks to keep that inspiration going.

Then establish a fresh plan if your existing strategy isn't working. Being adaptable to your plan and goals will help you succeed.

Keep a Resolution Journal.

Keep a resolution journal where you can record your wins and losses. If you're feeling uninspired or unmotivated, write down your motivational reasons.

Consider what is causing you to falter (job or family stress) and how to manage efficiently.

The only way to truly keep a New Year's resolution is to keep track of your progress and methods throughout the year.

Learn and Adapt

A setback is one of the main reasons individuals abandon their New Year's resolutions.

If you unexpectedly fall back into a poor habit, don't blame yourself.
The road to your objective is not always easy, and you will face obstacles along the way.
Instead, look upon relapses as lessons.

In your resolution notebook, note when the relapse occurred, what may have sparked it, and what you might do differently next time.

Understanding your issues will help you prepare for future ones.

Read also: Believe in Yourself – Embrace the Power Within

3. Conclusion

The annual resolution-making ritual doesn't have to be a failure. Choosing the correct goal and the means to achieve it can make the difference between success and failure.

Above all, remember to be nice and flexible with yourself, and to rejoice in any and all improvements. In the end, it isn't only about reaching the destination; it is also about enjoying the ride in between.

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