As the new year approaches, many of us may be thinking about the changes we want to make in our lives. But let’s be honest – how many of us have made New Year’s resolutions in the past only to abandon them a few weeks later? If you’re tired of making resolutions you never stick to, here are some tips for setting realistic goals and committing to them in the new year.
Firstly, it’s important to set specific, measurable goals. Instead of saying “I want to be healthier,” try setting a goal that details how you’ll achieve this, such as “I will go to the gym three times a week” or “I will eat three servings of vegetables every day.” This way, you’ll know exactly what you need to do to reach your goal, and you’ll be able to track your progress along the way.
Another tip is to make your goals challenging but achievable. It’s important to push yourself out of your comfort zone, but if you set goals that are too ambitious, you’re more likely to get discouraged and give up. So, think about what you’re truly capable of and set goals that are just beyond your current abilities.
It’s also important to have a plan for achieving your goals. This means breaking your goals down into smaller, more manageable steps. For example, if your goal is to run a marathon, you might start by setting a goal to run three times a week, and then gradually increase the distance and intensity of your runs over time.
Finally, it’s crucial to have support and accountability. Surround yourself with people who will encourage and motivate you; consider joining a support group or hiring a personal trainer to help you stay on track. And, most importantly, be kind to yourself. If you stumble along the way, don’t beat yourself up – just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward.
Here are our top 5 tips for setting realistic New Year’s resolutions and sticking to them throughout the year.
- Start small: Don’t try to make too many big changes all at once. Instead, focus on setting one or two realistic goals that you can work on gradually. This will make it more likely that you will be able to stick to your resolutions and see progress over time.
- Be specific: Instead of setting a vague goal like “exercise more” be specific about what you want to accomplish. For example, you could set a goal to go to the gym three times per week or to walk for 30 minutes every day. This will make it easier to track your progress and stay motivated.
- Make a plan: Once you have set your goals, make a plan for how you will achieve them. This may involve setting aside specific times each week to work on your goals, finding a workout buddy or accountability partner, or seeking out resources and support to help you along the way.
- Be flexible: Don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t always meet your goals. Life can be unpredictable, and it’s important to be flexible and adapt to changes as needed. If you need to adjust your goals or your plan, that’s okay. The important thing is to keep moving forward and stay committed to making positive changes in your life.
- Celebrate your successes: As you make progress towards your goals, take the time to celebrate your successes. This could involve treating yourself to something you enjoy, sharing your progress with friends and family, or simply taking a moment to appreciate your hard work and dedication. Recognising your accomplishments can help keep you motivated and on track.
Setting and sticking to New Year’s resolutions can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. By setting specific, achievable goals and creating a plan to reach them, you can start the new year off on the right foot and make positive changes in your life, for this year and beyond.
