Don’t let yourself fall victim to “Forgetful February!” Instead, why not make it a resolution to stick to your resolutions? But here’s the kicker: You don’t need to beat yourself up every day in order to stick to your plans. You can be kind to yourself and still get the job done. Here, we’ll discuss some guilt-free ways to stick to your new year’s resolutions.
Think Big and Break It Down
A big reason why people forgo their resolutions before seeing results is that their goals are vague (for example, “I’m going to read more.”). For you to be able to stick to your resolution, it needs to be more specific and actionable. So, once you have a big-picture idea, take it a step further:
- Instead of “I’m going to read more,” try: “I’m going to spend a half-hour reading before bed every night.”
- Instead of “I’m going to save more money,” try: “10% of my paycheck will go into my savings account before I spend any money.”
Be Realistic
You know yourself better than anyone else. Don’t look to others to influence your resolutions. You understand your daily demands and what you can add to your plate. For example, if working out for an hour every day is entirely unrealistic, don’t make that your resolution. Instead, be honest with yourself about what is attainable. Setting too ambitious of a goal may cause you to throw in the towel.
Another thing to remember is if past goals haven’t worked, try tweaking them to make them within your reach! There’s no shame in adaptation.
Find Friends to Motivate
No journey needs to begin alone! Odds are, you can find a friend or two with similar goals. For example, if your resolution includes reading more, start a weekly book club! Just be sure you surround yourself with people who are just as committed to their resolutions as you are!
Reward Yourself
Do you remember getting stickers in school whenever you did something good? Try the adult version of that. Every time you complete a goal that resonates with your resolution, treat yourself in another aspect of life.
If you finished up a chapter of your novel, order from your favorite takeout place as a means of celebration. Accomplishments should be met with positive reinforcement. That way, you have two things to look forward to: meeting your goals and the rewards that come with it!
Do you have any tips for sticking to your new year’s resolutions? Share them with us in the comments below!