5 Tips to Success with New Years Resolutions!
A New Year’s resolution is a tradition, most common in Western cultures but also found in the East, in which a person resolves to change an undesired trait or behaviour or achieve a goal that they have been dreaming about.
As a family, my husband, our two daughters discussed our goals and resolutions for 2017 over dinner on New Year’s Eve. We all took our turn, feeling excited about what the future will bring! I set myself some goals around my study, my coaching business, a fitness goal and a financial goal. So far I am tracking in the right direction with all mine, but it is still early in January after all!
It seems people make resolutions as a way of motivating themselves. Sometimes people want change but they aren’t ready to change their habits, particularly bad habits, and that accounts for a high failure rate in resolutions.
If you’re serious about sticking to a goal whether it be in the New Year or anytime, its best to start immediately or as soon as you can. Don’t wait for 1 Jan or Monday. Delaying is just a form of procrastination, which means we feel good by describing our intended resolutions to whoever asks, but are not motivated enough to start now.
Here are a few ways you can stick to your resolutions and it’s not too late to implement some changes now:
1. Clearly Define Goals
The problem most people have is that they don’t set the right goals. To increase your chances of accomplishing your resolution, set SMART goals. Click here to read more.
2. Set Sub Goals
It’s OK to have an overall goal like “I want to lose 10kg by December 31, 2017.” but it would more achievable if your goal was “I want to lose 1 kg per month, every month this year.” The latter gives you something more manageable to work with. With this goal, you need to lose 1kg every month, which will keep you on track. If your only goal is to lose 10kg by the end of the year, it’s easy to put things off for months and months, when it could be almost too late. Also, this sub goal gives you some leeway to have a couple of setbacks or more excitingly to even achieve your goal early.
3. Set Reminders
By setting reminders, whether it be on a calendar or in your phone, you will be able to break your goal down even further and set daily and or weekly goals and input progress updates. This allows you to look ahead and see what needs to be done during any given day, week or month to help you realize your goal or resolution for the year.
4. Allow for Flexibility
One common problem people have is, if they feel they haven’t stuck to the plan from the start or have gone off track at any stage, they have failed. This isn’t the case. Any effort towards your goal is better than nothing. If your goal is to lose 1 kg per month and you actually lose 750g that is still heading in the right direction.
5. Have an Accountability Partner or Coach
The final tip is to have an accountability partner or coach. When someone else is aware of your goals and resolutions, you’re much more likely to stick with them. Connect with someone you trust and ask them to hold you accountable, alternatively consider getting a coach as they will definitely help to keep you on track.
Own Your Goal!
p.s I’d love to hear your take on this topic. Click on the link below, let me know…
If you know someone who will benefit from reading this, share this post now. It might be the spark they need to give their goal a real go.
THANKS FOR READING & SHARING!
