How to make and keep new year resolutions

We love to make, try hard to keep but often break new year resolutions!  

Resolutions are promises that we make to ourselves that from 1 January we will do something better, change something or try something new.  

Many of us make resolutions to:

Unfortunately studies have shown that more than 75% of resolutions are broken by the middle of February!!

How do you make a resolution that you can actually keep? One that fits in with bigger goals in your life?

How can you be part of the 25% who nail their resolutions this year?

[Image1 New year means new resolutions - how can you achieve them]

Where have you come from? Celebrate your successes!

Reflect on where you have come from and celebrate your wins! Small and big.

Ask yourself:

Where do you want to be? Look at your future

Write down where you want to be in 5 to 10 years from now.

Think about what you want to achieve from a health, wealth, career and family perspective.

Do you want to be healthy enough to travel the world? Or want a career change? Perhaps you want to be mortgage free or retire early?

[Image4 Studies have shown that writing down goals makes you more motivated to achieve them]

Reflecting on where you have come from and where you want to go will help you to frame where to from here. It may also give you a confidence boost to see what you have already achieved.

Make SMART resolutions

Nearly everyone, consciously or subconsciously, have used some version of SMART goals, the mnemonic acronym for setting goals that are:

Psychological studies have proved that the most motivating goals are difficult, specific and time bound. These are more effective than goals that are too easy or vague.

This year, write down SMART resolutions that are difficult-yet-attainable, specific, and measurable.

For example, ”Lose 1 kg each month for 3 months" is harder and more likely to successfully motivate you than ”Lose weight", which is vague, non-specific and non-accountable.

[Image3 Instead of "Getting fit," try "Going to the gym after work every day" or "Training for a 10 km race with a friend." ]

Stop, review and go
Set regular check points to stop and review how you are going. If your resolution is a 12 months goal, check once a month on progress and do a large review every 3 months.

Consider what you have done to achieve your goal. If you want to lose weight have you changed your diet or exercise routine? What is working well? Are there any roadblocks?

Do you need help to achieve your goal? Sharing goals with a friend or mentor has been shown to be motivating as they can encourage, support and problem solve with you.

Link SMART resolutions with long term goals

Using SMART resolutions will help you to stay motivated and on track over the year to accomplish your long term 5 - 10 year goals.

Paying of the mortgage may be impossible this year. However, putting extra money into you home loan each month over the year may be achievable and may make paying it off quickly more attainable.

[Image2 Instead of “Living in the moment” try “Practicing mindfulness every day”]

You might find that you have more success than usual this year by making some SMART goals that link with your overall goal.

Will you make resolutions this year?

Will you be part of the 25% who succeed? Believe in yourself. You can be!

Good luck!

Related
[Linkhttp://healthyhints.com.au/making-a-new-years-resolution/ Making a New Years resolution]
[Linkhttp://healthyhints.com.au/rock-your-resolutions/ Rock your resolutions]

Categories
#general_wellness
#self_help_ &_Improvement
#motivational

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