This is my favorite time of year. A clean slate. A new start. A refreshed state. A cleared mind. Each new year presents the opportunity to make changes, enhance your life or start anew. Now is the best time to look for a new job, or get your health and finances in check. Unfortunately, the excitement and determination with New Year's resolutions fades fast and most give up before they even remember to write 2018 – instead of 2017.
So, how can you do it? How can you keep those New Year's resolutions?
Start with your WHY.
Your "why" has to be a strong one. Unbreakable. Why did you choose this specific resolution? If your WHY makes you cry – then you have a greater chance of sticking with your gameplan.
For example, if your goal is to lose weight – is it because your health is depending on it? Or, because none of your clothes fit? Are you on medications due to weight related problems and want to get off them? Is your health creating a negative impact on your life? These would all be great reminders when you feel like giving up. Make giving up not an option.
Is your resolution truly achievable?
When people make goals they have a tendency to go big or go home. Should you dream big? Yes, but, those dreams have to be achievable. When you make grandiose goals – you put too much pressure on yourself and as time goes on you get more and more discouraged.
Make little individual goals to help you achieve your end goal.
If your goal is to finish a marathon, the last thing you want to do at the starting line is think about the 26 miles you have in front of you. Talk about overwhelming! If you tell yourself to make it to mile five and then see how you feel – you're much more likely to continue on with another five miles, and another and another.
Take it one day at a time.
If you want to lose thirty pounds by year end, make a goal of losing three pounds per month. If you only focus on the end goal – you assume you have so much more time to get there. Then, December rolls around and you turn into a maniac trying to make magic happen. Spoiler alert – you’re not a magician. Make a decision every day to eat healthy. If you slip one day, don't beat yourself up – just start over the next day.
Make a plan.
A goal without a plan is just a wish. You're not going to wish your way to a slimmer waistline, although that would be amazing if you could! So, how are you going to lose the weight? You need to go to the gym a minimum of two days a week. You need to track 20,000 steps a day. Sunday can be your cheat day. Start a meal plan, etc.
Celebrate each victory – big or small.
If your goal was to pay off debt, but you only paid off half – that's a victory! You worked toward your goal and made some headway. This is not an all or nothing goal. You may have underestimated the timeline, but the important thing was that you stuck to it! Move the end date back and pour a glass of bubbles because you deserve to celebrate!
Take these tips and own your 2018.
Wishing you all a year filled with blessings and resolution successes!
