Useful Tips For Making a New Year’s Resolution and Keeping It

Time flies, It’s already the mid December and almost time for all of us to say ciao to 2016 as the new year approaches. This is also the perfect time to reassess where we are going in life, where we want to go, and how we are going to get there. However, I’ve been seeing so many people who set goals and give up in a few short weeks or never take actions to achieve these goals. According to research, every year only a tiny percentage who sets New Year’s resolutions actually achieve them. Hence, how can we actually join this elite few? I don’t know about you, but I definitely don’t want to join the ranks of people who celebrate January 17 as “Dumb Your Resolutions Day”. Therefore, I’ve compounded some cool tips on making New Year’s resolution and actually keeping them!

1. Just pick one thing and define it clearly

Usually we tend to write a long list of New Year’s resolutions and promise ourself we will get it done this year. However, it is somehow impossible and unrealistic. My advice is pick one or two goals which you want to achieve badly and begin to work towards it. Make sure your goal is something concrete so you know exactly what change you’re planning to make. If you’re successful with the first change, then you can proceed and make another change. By making these small changes one after the other, you will feel more motivated and efficient.

Remember while you’re planning your goals, make it something concrete so you know exactly what change you’re planning to make. Don’t pick a New Year’s resolution that’s bound to fail either. My tip is follow the SMART theory :Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound. For instance, if you plan to get in shape, write it down exactly how many pounds you intend to lose or how many percentage of body fat to be reduced.

2. Plan ahead

To ensure success you need to research the change you’re making and plan ahead so you have the resources available when you need them. Here are a few things you should do to prepare and get all the systems in place ready to make your change.

Collect your resources – Get your information via Internet or bookstores. For instance, if you plan to lose weight, check out the exercises you can do via Youtube, read up things you should eat and not to eat.

Prepare things you need to achieve your goals – Get everything ready so things will run smoothly. If you’re taking up gym classes make sure you have the trainers, proper clothes, ipod loaded with energetic sounds at the ready. Then, there can be no excuses.

Anticipate problems – No matter what goals you’re going for, there will always be problems you will encounter. Therefore, make a list of of what they’ll be, in what situation it will occur. Once, you’ve identified, think of solutions to cope them. Then, you will not easily give up when you occur this problem in the near future.

3. Publicise your goals to friends and family

According to research, this tip is extremely useful. All you need to do is announce your specific resolution to your family, friends or even your social media friends. This will help you gain some support from those around you. Besides, it also give you the tensions of making sure you nail it and don’t give up easily as you will feel embarrassing if you fail to do so.

4. Pick a start date and put it in your schedule

How often do you hear people say they can’t “find the time” to do something. Nobody finds time. We all choose to spend our time the way we do. Make your new goals a priority and actually schedule them into your calendar. You don’t have to make these changes right on New Year’s Day. Pick a day when your whole mind and body are fully ready to take on challenge.

5. Stop “all or nothing” mindset

Stop “all or nothing” thinking; it’s better do something than nothing

Most of the people have this toxic mindset which is “all or nothing”. For example, you’re having your diet and you ate French fries. Most of the people will think “I might as well get a piece of cake since I already ate those fries”. This is extremely toxic. the difference between doing something instead of nothing at all is definitely huge. In short, any effort towards your goal is better than no effort.

6. Go for it

After you’ve decided when you will start working towards your goal, give your 100%! Constantly remind yourself the goal you want to achieve by writing it down on a card, or set it as a lock screen.

For instance: Your commitment card can looks like this:

– I’ll workout everyday for at least 30 minutes.

– I’ll read books everyday.

– I’ll eat and healthy and meditate daily.

7. Accept failure and get up when you slip up

None of us are perfect. It isn’t whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up. Resiliency is the key. Don’t turn relapses or temporary failures into total meltdowns or excuses for giving up. Instead, just acknowledge the mistake, make a note of the triggers that caused this set back and vow to learn a lesson from them.

8. Plan rewards

It’s always good to give yourself some rewards if you accomplish something as it will be a great encouragement to keep you going during the hardest days.