New year, new you! With 2019 fast approaching (two more days) it’s time to get your new years resolutions in order. Whether its losing weight, drinking less or spending more time with your family, 2019’s goals are attainable, even when they seem daunting.
You’ve seen it happen again and again, you make out a list of new years resolutions for January first, and by the time January fifth comes around, you’ve forgotten half of them and are struggling with the rest. When you mess up one of your goals, it’s easy to become frustrated and give up on all of your resolutions. [1]
Psychologists recommend setting small, realistic, and attainable goals for the new year. This will increase the chances of keeping your resolutions throughout the year and making the changes you want in your life. [2]
Simplicity is Best
A new year can be like a Monday; you can start your diet on Monday or start your workout plan at the beginning of the week. It can be easy to plan to change your whole life in the new year. But is that attainable? Not really, try to focus on one or two specific goals that you want to accomplish in the coming year. Instead of quitting smoking you could try to stop smoking so much per day.
Be Realistic
Keep reality in mind. Determine what led to the failure of resolutions in the past. Trying to save too much money or lose too much weight at the start of a year can set yourself up for discouragement. Set more short-term goals that are realistic and less longterm goals that you’ve failed repeatedly in the past.
Get Accountability
Let others know your goals. Tell your friends what you’re going through so they can support you and help keep you on track. Join a club or group of people who all have similar goals and work together to attain those.
Accept Failure
Failure happens and is almost guaranteed throughout life. That doesn’t mean that when you fail once you have to give up on everything. Most people who are starting a diet feel bad after they mess up and eat a cookie, then they eat more cookies and feel guilty and quit their diet for a couple of days. When you mess up, accept that messed up but don’t let one mistake change your goals.
Make Smaller Goals
Be specific when making your goals. Set more, smaller goals instead of fewer large goals. Set clear, realistic goals such as losing 5 pounds, saving $30 a month, or going for a run once a week. Plan out exactly how you will make these goals happen.
Notes:
- ^“10 Sure Ways to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions.” Psych Central, 17 May. 2016, psychcentral.com/lib/10-sure-ways-to-keep-your-new-years-resolutions. (go back ↩)
- ^“Making Your New Year’s Resolution Stick.” http://www.apa.org, 29 Dec. 2018, www.apa.org/helpcenter/resolution.aspx. (go back ↩)
