By Cara Beth Smith
Each time a new year begins, many of us implement “New Year’s Resolutions” in our lives. Maybe the goal is something like eating healthier, exercising more, reading more, or starting a new hobby. Whatever it may be, resolutions can be hard to uphold.
New Year’s resolution (definition according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
noun
: a promise to do something differently in the new year
Many people begin a new year with a “New Year, New Me!” mindset. This can be a very hard task to tackle! Putting a stop to old habits and creating new habits is not easy to achieve. According to statistics, more than half of the resolutions that are set for the new year fail. Let’s talk about how we can uphold the goals we set for ourselves and keep them all year long!
1. Set a goal that is achievable. Having impossible standards for yourself can lead to disappointment. If your ultimate goal seems unachievable from where you currently stand, break it up into smaller goals. By taking one step at a time and achieving one small goal at a time, you can work to achieve your “ultimate goal.”
2. Make it meaningful. If the resolution you make is meaningful and significant to you, you are more likely to follow through than if you set a goal just for the sake of setting a goal. Put some thought into it and think about how it will make your life better once achieved.
3. Be specific. Many New Year’s resolutions do not make it past January simply because they are just too vague. For example, if your goal is to “eat healthier,” what does that mean specifically? In your day-to-day life, how will that be implemented? Instead of just saying you will eat healthier, make a specific plan that you can realistically follow and achieve.
4. Track your progress. By tracking your progress, you can feel a sense of pride as to how far you have come since starting. Progress reinforces your productivity. According to nytimes.com, “If, for example, you want to stop biting your nails, take pictures of your nails over time so you can track your progress in how those nails grow back out, said Jeffrey Gardere, a psychologist and professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine.”
5. Make sure your resolution/goal is actually relevant to your life. “If you do it out of the sense of self-hate or remorse or a strong passion in that moment, it doesn’t usually last long,” said Dr. Michael Bennett, a psychiatrist and co-author of two self-help books. “But if you build up a process where you’re thinking harder about what’s good for you, you’re changing the structure of your life, you’re bringing people into your life who will reinforce that resolution, then I think you have a fighting chance.” (according to nytimes.com).
By building a good habit or breaking a bad habit, you are already making a long-term change. As humans, we live very habitually. By changing just one bad habit or creating one good habit, you are altering at least one part of your life for the better in a long-term way.
I wish you luck with all of your resolutions, and I hope that your efforts help you to achieve many goals in 2023!
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