How to actually keep your New Year's resolutions

A lot of people start the New Year with resolutions. Here are some top tips to make sure you can actually keep up with yours.

11:55 30 December 2014

For most people, the New Year symbolizes a fresh start and an opportunity not just to break bad habits but also to establish new routines that can help people grow emotionally, psychologically, socially, intellectually, or physically.

 

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However, not everybody can actually keep up with their resolutions. If you’re one of them, here’s a few basic tips on how you can stay on track throughout the year.

 

• Be specific and realistic. Every year, millions of people create vague New Year’s resolutions like “make more money” or “be a better partner.” If you want to make sure that you’ve accomplished something at the end of the year, make your goals very specific and very realistic. For example, instead of “make more money” you can say “add $5,000 to my retirement fund". These are goals that are attainable. 

 

• Stick with just one resolution. Don’t get too excited when writing your New Year’s resolutions. Many behavioural experts acknowledge that you are more likely to achieve your goal if you focus on just one thing instead of flipping between different ideas. The best one is the one that is the most important to you, but remember to choose something within reach.

 

• Plan ahead. You don’t need to wait until the end of one year to make plans for the next. Keep in mind that planning is one of the keys to achieving your goal. Take the time to identify the behavior that you need to change. Then, create plans of action along with obstacles that might stand in your way. Think about how you're going to overcome the bumps in the road before you journey down it. 

 

• Commitment is the key. Changing a specific habit or behaviour is never easy. However, everything can be achieved if you put your mind into it and if you’re committed to succeed. If it truly means something to you, failure will not be an option.