Stick to Your New Year’s Resolution in 5 Easy Steps

Happy 2020! This new decade is definitely a great time for a fresh start — a great opportunity to eliminate counterproductive habits and establish new routines that will help you grow psychologically, emotionally, socially, physically, or intellectually!

Unfortunately, the “doing it” part is almost always harder than the “wanting to do it” part. Life gets in the way, and you may start to backslide on the promises that you meant to keep. By the end of January, many of us have abandoned our resolve and settled back into our old patterns.

But don’t you worry. Whatever your goal is, the important thing is that you are on the right path to achieve it. Read through our 5 steps to help you stick to your New Year resolutions and maximize your chances of not giving up.

1. Start small
Write out your goals and corresponding action plan in weekly parts. If you break it into bite-sized pieces, it will be less daunting and more manageable. This avoids the panic that makes you throw in the towel. Bigger tasks broken down into pieces appear more doable, and a stumble in one part also seems more easily correctable.

2. Begin when you’re ready
New Year’s Day does not need to be ground zero. It’s better to hold off to allow time to adequately prepare. You can start by writing down your goal, making a list of things you might do to achieve that goal, and noting any obstacles that might stand in your way. By knowing exactly what you want to accomplish and the difficulties you might face, you’ll be better prepared to stick to your resolution and overcome potential struggles.

3. Renew your motivation
During the first days of a New Year’s Resolution, you will probably feel confident and highly motivated to reach your goal. However, sticking to resolutions might also bring out discomfort or temptations, making the change we want to happen, harder than it seems. When you feeling that your motivation starts to dwindle, remind yourself of exactly why you are doing this. What do you have to gain by achieving your goal? Find sources of inspiration that will keep you going when times get tough.

4. Don’t beat yourself up
Perfection is unattainable. Encountering a setback is one of the most common reasons why people give up on their New Year’s Resolutions. Remember that minor missteps when reaching your goals are completely normal and OK. If you suddenly relapse into a bad habit, don’t view it as a failure. The path toward your goal is not a straight one, and there are always going to be challenges. Resolve to recover from your mistakes and get back on track.

5. Ask for support
Accepting help from those who care about you and will listen strengthens your resilience and ability to manage stress caused by your resolution. Tell someone who will be around you as you pursue your goal and plan. Having someone to share your struggles and successes with makes your journey to a healthier lifestyle that much easier and less intimidating.

We hope these steps can help you stay on track with your New Year’s resolution. You got this!