How to stick to your New Year's resolutions!
As I've written in a previous post, New Year's resolutions aren't a bad thing - if you set yourself good enough goals, they truly can make a difference! But often, it's not setting the goals that is a problem, but actually sticking to them, completing what you've promised yourself to complete.
This post will contain nothing but helpful tips on how to stick to your resolutions - new year, new you!
- Make a friend help you - This year, my main resolution is getting better at yoga. It has been my resolution for quite a few years now, but somehow, it has always failed. This year will be different, because I told my boyfriend about my resolution, and even asked him to force me to do yoga when I'm feeling particularly lazy. You could do this as well - use your parents, friends, partner for that extra motivation, it really goes a long way!
- Don't set too many goals - I'm a junkie for making lists, I absolutely love them, but when it comes to New Year's resolutions, you don't want a long list of things to accomplish, instead, try to stick to one or a few bigger resolutions. It could be something as simple as "Be healthier" or...
- Be specific - Perhaps you want to be super-specific when setting goals? This can be helpful, but not for everyone. However, if you have more, specific goals, instead of just one, you could spread them throughout the year and feel more productive as you achieve them. This is a nice strategy if you want to see change fast!
- Share your goals with others - Share them with your friends, with your family, you could even do it online! This can be great motivation, and a reminder for why you've made those resolutions in the first place. As long as completing your goals doesn't become an unhealthy obsession, just feel free to share it with the world. Be proud of the journey you're about to go on, be proud of everything you've accomplished so far, no matter how small it is. Allow yourself to be enthusiastic and passionate!
- Practice every day - This may sound a little extreme, but the best way to work something into your daily routine is by doing it every single day. Sounds logical, right? A lovely tool that can help you out and motivate you even more is the "Don't Break the Chain" habit tracker. It's basically a calendar where you tick off every day you've been doing the activity of your choice. The goal here is of course to not break the chain! Such visualization can really help you out with achieving your goals.
- Plan it out - Keeping a weekly plan over things you need to do is great, and not only for sticking to your New Year's resolutions. I use weekly planner printables to organize homework, when I need to do yoga/work out etc. and it has helped me a lot. Before I started with it, I was constantly stressed and anxious about the tiniest things - now I don't need to worry so much, since I always know what to do, and when. This way, all the work you need to do doesn't get all piled up, and procrastination is harder. Perhaps using a planner could help you this year?
I hope some of these tips were helpful, and that you're feeling motivated! May this year bring you much joy and peace, no matter if you choose to make New Year's resolutions or if you're just doing your own thing. The most important thing is to be comfortable and happy!