Making New Year’s Resolutions for the coming year?
Starting on a fresh slate every year with resolutions or goals is a great way to kick off the new year. But how long will your resolutions last? Do you actually see it through to the end of the year?
According to studies, only a small population of people who make New Year’s Resolutions make it to the end of the year. About 43% give up on resolutions as soon as February rolls around.
Fortunately, there are some ways you can make it.
Find Yourself Off Track on Your Road to Achieving Your New Year’s Resolution? Do These Things
One of the reasons resolutions don’t work is due to the fact that resolutions aren’t very specific. For example, most of us just say “we want to eat healthier” but don’t say why or how. Or, say you want to improve your financial situation, but don’t specify how.
In one study, it was shown that 33% of people don’t track their New Year’s Resolutions progress either. 23% even forgot about it!
Here are some tips to help you keep up with your goals and resolutions:
- Break your goal into smaller goals
You are more likely to succeed if you are detailed with your resolution. For example, if you’d like to improve your financial situation, set a savings goal or a debt-payment tracker.
- Automate
Milestones help you stay on track throughout the year. But instead of making it difficult to progress, automate your processes. For example, if you’re planning to get fit, download an app to help you track your progress. There are even some apps to help you with establishing habits.
- Get back on track ASAP
Find yourself getting off track? When you’re too far from a goal, it’s easier for you to quit. So as soon as you see yourself missing out on your progress, get back on track at the earliest.
Setting too many resolutions makes you feel overwhelmed especially when life gets in the way.
Instead, be specific with the resolutions that you set.
New Year’s Resolution Idea: Be More Sustainable
I’ve written about how you can achieve your goals in the new year before. You can read it here: https://heikegeiling.com/2020/01/08/how-to-achieve-your-goals-in-2020/
What I found the most interesting about the goals set for 2020 was that it was the first time goals for the greater good were among the top five goals for the new year.
And with the way the world is, should we reconsider our resolutions? Maybe making resolutions for the greater good.
For instance, instead of your regular resolution of eating more vegetables to lose weight, maybe eat vegetarian food every Monday to reduce your personal carbon footprint. Or if you want to get fitter, make it a point to walk at a nearby park instead of signing up for a gym. Want to read more books? Try ebooks or go to the library instead.
Some other good examples of “greater good” resolutions in a professional setting include:
- Reducing the number of documents printed
- Reducing waste by removing single-use plastic cups from the pantry
- Travel via train versus taking domestic flights
In an age where we’re talking about ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) efforts and working around the United Nations SDGs (Social Development Goals), let’s try to make our resolutions sustainable for us to meet them without making a negative impact on our planet.
Do share what your New Year’s Resolutions are in the comments.
Need help setting up your new year for success? Contact me for further information. I would love to see you thrive!