Are you tired of failing to fulfill your New Year’s Resolutions every year? Look no further. This simple guide will help you select a resolution and stick to it. Whether it’s health, business, or personal growth-related, this is the guide for you.
By Jayne Turner – Staff Writer
Make it SMART
SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Specific: You have to figure out your why. What will be accomplished at the end? What actions will you take to get there? Broad goals are harder to achieve. “Save money” is a great goal, but it is better represented as dollars per month saved.
Measurable: What data will measure the goal? That is, how will you know that you are making progress towards your goal? It may be measured in pounds lost or books read, but ensure that you’ll be able to see your progress.
Achievable: Make sure that your resolution is reasonable to achieve. A goal may seem small, but it will make a big step in your overall journey. Make sure you have the necessary skills and resources!
Relevant: Why is the result of this resolution important to you? If you’re doing something just because you think you should, it’s not a good goal. Choose something personal. Maybe you want to get in better shape so that you can go to the park with your granddaughter. That is a resolution that means something!
Time-Bound: What is the time frame for accomplishing the goal? This one is pretty easy, since New Year’s resolutions are meant to be completed by the end of the year. However, monthly checkpoints can be helpful to stay motivated.
Consider your resources
When creating a New Year’s Resolution, you may need to reach out and get new resources.
If you want to lose weight, a gym membership or new gym clothes may be necessary. If you want to eat healthier, a chat with a nutritionist or a new grocery list are great tool. Focused on mental health and stress? Book an appointment with a therapist or purchase a mindfulness journal.
Without the proper resources, your goals will seem further away. Acquiring the proper tools to achieve your goal is the first step in sticking to your goal!
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Stay Accountable
Having a friend or family member who is also working towards a goal is motivating. When you share your goal out loud, it becomes a reality. Something more than an idea in your head. Your friend can remind you why you started and lift you when you lose motivation!
Shared progress feels even more meaningful. Find someone to share the small wins with! Humans are social animals. When we have someone to hold us accountable, we work harder and more diligently.
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Consistency > Perfection
Motivation fluctuates, but accountability adds structure. You won’t want to get up every day and work on your goal, but consistency creates a habit, which is even better than willpower alone.
Perfection is a barrier to progress. Worrying about executing resolutions perfectly will get in the way of you doing them at all.
Overall, sticking to a New Year’s Resolution is no simple feat. It requires clarity of mind and dedication to results. This year, make your resolution a habit.