New Year's Resolutions

Let's talk New Year's resolutions. We all have them. We all want them. We all want to SUCCEED at them. If you are like me, you have a list 2 pages long of the all things I need to improve on for the next year. I had to stop myself and recognize I need to be a little more realistic with my expectations for all of these "goals." Just like any self improvement, you don't want to overwhelm yourself with new rules and expectations as it makes it a little harder to not only be successful at them, but to sustain them. Here are some helpful tips for planning, organizing and arranging your resolutions.

#1 Be Specific and Realistic 

Set clear goals: Instead of saying, “I want to exercise,” say, “I’ll go to the gym three times a week.”
Start small: Choose achievable goals that can grow over time. For instance, walk 5,000 steps a day before aiming for 10,000.

#2 Create a Plan

Break it down: Divide your goal into manageable steps with milestones.

Set deadlines: Add dates to hold yourself accountable (e.g., “Save $500 by March”).

Plan for challenges: Identify obstacles and think of solutions in advance.

#3 Build Habits, Not Just Goals

Consistency is key: Focus on making your resolution a habit. For example, drink water at the same time every morning.

Stack habits: Pair a new habit with an existing one, like meditating after brushing your teeth.

#4 Track Your Progress

Use a journal or app: Track daily or weekly achievements to stay motivated.

 Celebrate milestones: Reward yourself for hitting small goals to maintain enthusiasm.

#5 Stay Accountable 

Tell someone: Share your resolution with a friend, family member, or support group.

Find a buddy: Work on similar goals with someone who can motivate you.

Join a community: Online or local groups focused on your goal can help keep you inspired.

#6 Be Flexible and Forgiving 

Adapt when needed: Life happens; adjust your goals if circumstances change.
 

Don’t quit after setbacks: Missing a day or week doesn’t mean failure. Refocus and keep going.

#7 Use Positive Reinforcement

Focus on progress: Recognize how far you’ve come instead of fixating on perfection.

 Visualize success: Picture yourself achieving your goal and the benefits it will bring.

#8 Avoid Overwhelming Yourself

Limit resolutions: Focus on 1–3 meaningful goals instead of a long list.

 Prioritize: Work on the most important goal first before adding others.

#9 Learn and Grow

Seek resources: Read books, watch tutorials, or join workshops related to your resolution.

 Reflect regularly: Reevaluate your progress monthly and make adjustments as needed.

#10 Create a Reward System

Set small rewards: Treat yourself when you reach a milestone (e.g., a movie night, new gear).

 Tie rewards to your goal: If you save money, use part of it for something meaningful.

My goal is to give a sense of peace with your resolutions. We are always so excited to implement them, we forget we are only human and can handle so many things at once. If you find yourself discouraged after a few months of trying, give yourself some grace. Step back, reevaluate, and continue with more reasonable expectations to set yourself up for success.

As always, if you need someone to keep you accountable of your goals, or just need some help with getting back to your health routine, you can click the link below to find out more about my services. I would love to work with you!