KEEPING YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: THREE TIPS

New Year’s Eve is a time of change: leaving one year and entering the next, leaving the past behind and celebrating your future. And during this holiday celebration, many people engage in the tradition of making a resolution to embrace that change. We could all stand to change for the better—whether it’s something small like losing a few pounds, or something a little more ambitious like learning a new skill. Either way, people often struggle to keep their resolution, and many are abandoned within the first month of the new year.

Changing your life can be difficult. It’s human nature to find security in routine, and even a minor change can be very hard to implement. But change is going to happen one way or the other—so you might as well make sure it’s for the better. Here are some tips to get your new year started on the right track. These methods have been used by some of the most successful people throughout history to accomplish their goals, and they can work for you, too. Try them out and see where they take you!

Set Concrete, Realistic Goals:

We would all love to be making more money, be more charismatic, or be a master of some skill. These are good goals to strive for, but that kind of change doesn’t happen overnight. In order to make such significant changes, you have to start small and with specific benchmarks in mind. For instance, learning to play guitar is a skill that takes years to master. If your resolution is to learn your favorite song on guitar, you may find yourself frustrated by how little progress you make in the beginning. That’s because you have to build your way up: start by learning a few chords, then a few scales, and then some basic songs. Pretty soon you’ll see that your resolution is coming closer every day.

Chart Your Progress:

It’s amazing how such a little thing as keeping records can make such a huge difference! Keep a journal, ledger or even post-its on hand as you’re working towards your goals. Every time you practice your resolution, write down some quick info on how you’re doing. It doesn’t have to be an essay; just enough to chart your progress. Make sure to include a date so you can put your notes in a timeline later (this part is important!).

One of the most common resolutions is weight loss. Ironically, this is a tough one to accomplish because of how long it takes to see any results—and how difficult it can be. After three weeks with no visible losses, it’s hard for anyone to stay strong. But make no mistake: that weight loss is happening. It’s just hard to see in real time. That’s why keeping diligent notes is so helpful: it allows you to see the marginal improvements over long periods. It works especially well when paired with concrete goals, because of the sense of accomplishment that comes with actually succeeding in something you set out to do. After a few months, the detailed timeline of your progress will encourage you even further!

Share Your Goals with Others:

This one can be hard. Some people prefer to keep their problems to themselves, and of course there’s nothing wrong with that. But imagine how much more effective you could be with a team of supporters behind you—especially around New Year’s, when many people have their own resolutions to work on. A simple kind word from a friend or loved one can give you the extra motivation to accomplish your own goals. This will also give the two of you something to talk about, and maybe even a shared goal to work towards. Make sure to return the favor—everyone needs a little support now and then!

A New Year’s resolution can be a great way to impact real, positive change in your life and the lives of others. It’s an opportunity to take charge of your life and your future. This is the beginning of the only 2019 you’ll ever have... so let’s all resolve to make it the best one!