There are a few things you should know about making and keeping resolutions. In this article, we'll discuss how to make SMART goals and prevent relapses. You might even be able to pick up a few tips that have helped us stick to our resolutions for years!
Image Source
Making New Year's resolutions
Making New Year's resolutions can be a tricky proposition. The promise of a clean slate, new beginnings, and 12 months of new opportunities can be overwhelming. Past experience suggests that we are unlikely to keep our resolutions for long. In fact, by the time February rolls around, we might have completely forgotten what we had resolved to do. And after a tough two years, the prospect of a fresh start can seem even more daunting.
Fortunately, there are ways to make a resolution stick. Start by writing down your goal and identifying the obstacles in your way. This will help you be more realistic in your resolutions. Oftentimes, resolution failures can be traced back to taking on too much at once. It is better to make small, gradual changes instead of attempting to make major changes all at once.
Making SMART goals
The first step in making SMART goals is to identify a specific goal. This will make the goal-setting process easier and will eliminate any grey area. Once you have identified the goal, you can create an action plan for reaching it. Ideally, your goal should be specific, measurable, achievable, and time-bound.
Another important step in making SMART goals is to determine when you want to achieve them. Setting a time limit for achieving a goal will give you a sense of urgency and will help you to keep on track. Goals that are too far in the future tend to get put off because daily life and schedules take priority.
Keeping them
Keeping New Year Resolutions can be tricky, but there are many ways to stay motivated. You can start with small goals, and eventually work your way up to a larger goal by the end of the year. For example, you could break your goal to run a marathon into smaller, weekly goals, so you can see progress every week. Similarly, if you're looking to change your diet, you could make weekly changes to your eating habits.
First of all, write down your resolutions and goals. Make sure to set checkpoints, and track your progress. If you can be specific about what you're trying to accomplish, you'll be more likely to reach it. Also, make sure to be realistic, and set deadlines.
Relapses
Many people have trouble making resolutions that stick. Whether you have an eating disorder, a drinking problem, or a mental health problem, it is important to understand that there is no such thing as the perfect resolution. Instead, make your resolutions as realistic and achievable as possible. For example, instead of making a resolution to quit drinking or start exercising regularly, make a resolution to stop eating junk food for a week or to take up mindfulness. Then, try to stick to it.
One of the common reasons people fail at their resolutions is a relapse. While relapses can seem like a failure, they are part of the recovery process. You must be patient and seek help to keep going. Moreover, don't set yourself too high, because this will only cause you more stress.
Motivation
Motivation is the key to keeping your New Year's resolutions. Research shows that nearly half of Americans make at least one resolution. These resolutions might include eating better, exercising more, getting organized, or saving money. Ayelet Fishbach, the world's foremost researcher on motivation, suggests some tips for staying motivated throughout the year.
The first step to staying motivated while making a resolution is to identify and overcome the obstacles that you may face. You may need to dig deep into your self and try to identify the most common obstacles. Once you know what they are, you can prepare yourself by developing positive thinking and self-talk skills. You may also want to practice telling yourself that failure will have negative consequences.