8 Essential Tips for Making and Keeping New Year’s Resolutions
Have you had trouble sticking to your New Year’s resolutions in past years? With 2016 coming to a close, it’s time to forgive and focus on your brand new goals for the new year. There are 365 new opportunities ahead of you to make them happen. Now is the perfect time to get started and set yourself up for success. 2017 is going to be your year!
Ready to make your New Year’s resolutions for 2017?
Here are 8 essential tips for making and keeping New Year’s resolutions:
1. Be specific.
Be as specific as possible when creating your resolutions for the new year. It’s also a good idea to write out the process or alternative if you’re trying to cut back or quit something.
Maybe one of your resolutions is to stop buying coffee everyday. Instead of writing “Don’t buy coffee everyday from Starbucks”, a more specific goal would be “Treat myself to coffee 2 days a week. Bring coffee or tea from home on the other days.”
2. Be realistic.
Are your resolutions realistic for you? Do you have everything you need to accomplish them?
3. Categorize your goals.
While your categories may vary, some examples include Personal, Family, Relationship, Career, Fitness, Business, and Health & Wellness. Try to choose at least 3 categories.
4. Use a calendar.
Are you creating daily, weekly or monthly goals? Make sure to schedule them on a calendar so you can track your progress and celebrate your successes!
5. Mind your benchmarks.
Do you plan on losing weight or working out more in the new year? Be sure to set specific benchmarks, or short-term goals. These goals will help to keep you on the right track and make your long term goals more manageable.
Unsure where to start? Connect with an advisor, personal trainer, mentor, or manager to help plan your benchmarks for the new year.
6. Create a system that holds you accountable.
Involve your family and friends by sharing your 2017 goals with them. You could also join an online community or a local group- both are great ways to meet new people who you have the same interests as you and similar goals!
7. Remember to reward yourself.
Be sure to add rewards to your calendar. Starting a new fitness routine? Reward yourself with new clothes or equipment for sticking to your new year’s resolutions. Learning how to cook? Treat yourself to new recipes or dinner at a fabulous restaurant.
8. Make it fun.
Get excited about your goals! If you’ve made a resolution to read more in the new year, check out a new genre or an author you’ve never heard of before. Resolving to be healthier? Sign up for a new fitness class or bring a friend along for a morning hike. Treat every success as a celebration and every failure as a lesson. You got this!
Lastly, once you start putting your new year’s resolutions into action, remember to be kind to yourself.
It’s ok to slip up or skip a day from time to time. It happens to the best of us! Just be sure to forgive yourself so you can move on and make 2017 your best year yet!
