New Year’s resolutions are a longstanding tradition around the world. Each year, more than 1 in 3 Americans resolve to better themselves. For instance, almost half of the entire adult population say they plan to lose weight, exercise more or eat healthy foods. While these are good resolutions, only 8% of them actually stick to them.
Listed below are some tips to help you succeed with your New Year’s resolutions.
Keep your list short
One of the biggest mistakes people make is having too many resolutions. When your New Year’s resolution is as long as your holiday shopping list, you may end up overwhelmed. To ensure that you stick to your resolutions, keep your list short. Or better yet, stick to just one resolution this year.
Do not start doing everything at once. Focusing on one resolution at a time increases your chances of success. It will also be easier for you to establish a plan. Figure out which goal will have the biggest impact on your life and focus on that goal.
Practice discipline
“I don’t have time”. This is one of the most common excuse people make when they fail to stick to their resolutions. An hour is only 4% of your day. Practicing yoga, for instance, will only require 15 to 25 minutes of your day. That’s only a fraction of an hour. Not only will help you stay fit; it will also help alleviate stress and improve your health. Spend at least 15 minutes of your time to becoming a better version of yourself.
Hard and impossible are 2 different things. Yes, it can be difficult to change your bad habits and stick to your resolutions. But with a little effort and discipline, nothing is impossible. The more you practice discipline, the more likely are you to succeed.
Break your resolution into smaller goals
One of the reasons why people don’t stick to their New Year’s resolution is because they’ve set poor goals. Vague goals beget vague resolutions.
You are more likely to succeed if you break your resolution into smaller, more attainable goals. Be more specific with your goal. If you plan to lose weight, determine how many kilos you wish to lose in a span of 3 months. If you plan to exercise more, start working out for 1 hour, 3 times a week. By removing any ambiguity in your goals, your resolution and goals for the year become much more attainable.
