Written by Contributor Writer Hollie Dickman
One big tradition on New Year’s Eve is to make a resolution. Something you want to accomplish or improve on in the coming year. However, it can become daunting. According to the University of Scranton, only about 8 percent of the people who make resolutions keep them. What are some ways to keep those resolutions that you are striving for in 2016?
1.Keep it simple.
Often, people set resolutions that are huge bucket list items, lifestyle changing goals, extreme makeover hopes, etc. The issue with setting such a huge resolution is the difficulty in reaching the goal.
Instead of saying “I’m not going to eat any junk food in 2016” Set a smaller goal like “I’m going to cut out late night junk food snacking.”
Then, when this goal is accomplished, you can continue working towards that larger lifestyle change.
2. Reachable
Your resolution should be something tangible you can actually accomplish. It may be inspiring to reach for ambitious resolutions, but will become frustrating when the goal keeps seeming further and further away.
3. Be Specific
Use specific small goals that are reachable. A commonly made resolution is to lose weight or to work out more. This is a great resolution that can be very effective, but it is also something that can quickly be left to the side when the goal is not clear and specific.
Being specific in resolutions like these is very helpful. Instead of setting a goal to work out more, set a goal of going to yoga twice a week. To lose more weight, give yourself a goal, or specific amount you want to lose. Don’t forget to keep these specifics reachable to avoid frustration.
4. Partner up
When trying to stay on the path of your New Year’s Resolution, it can be fun and helpful to have a friend or a family member with the same resolution to reach the goal with. You can hold each other accountable and encourage each other to keep moving forward.
5. Throwing in the towel
A month or two into 2016 it might seem a lot easier just to forget about the resolution you made on a whim, maybe while sipping some champagne with your friends. But, don’t forget you made this resolution for a reason.
If you stray from your goal, that doesn’t mean you have to give up. Getting back on the road and staying the path is just as important as reaching that goal is. Cut yourself some slack and keep working.
6. Game plan
It can be easy to throw in the towel when you don’t have any specific goals mapped out. Don’t make up the resolution as you go. Sit down and put together a plan of what you want to reach and when. Write it down. Telling someone else or keeping track on paper makes you more accountable.
7. Confidence is Key
Be confident in yourself that if you made this resolution, you can accomplish it. If you go into the New Year thinking there’s no way you’ll reach your goal, then you won’t. If you go into the New Year excited and ready to tackle this new challenge, determined that you will succeed, you will.
8. Find your inspiration
What is the reasoning behind your resolution? Knowing this is important. Halfway into the New Year, when the fun of a new goal isn’t enough, you need to know why you made that goal. If you want to lose weight, are you looking to boost your confidence? Create a healthier lifestyle? Live a happier year?
Only you can know the true reasons for your resolutions, find those and hold onto them through the year.
The New Year is a time to be hopeful and excited for what’s to come. Take that excitement and use it towards making a better year and a better you as you strive to reach all of your goals.
