It’s a new year already and chances are that by now you have already prepared a new year’s resolution or at least are in the process of making one some of which may be to lose weight, eat healthier, quit smoking or quit drinking—- but what’s the best way to stick it? What’s the most effective way to ensure every behavioural and/or attitudinal habit itemized for change are followed through?
Here are a few tips to help set you on the right path.
- Be Realistic. Studies have found that we’re more likely to follow through with a new year’s resolution when they are broken into smaller goals that are realistic, measureable and time bound. So instead of having a long list of things to do, break them into smaller goals that can be easily measured and achieved.
- Plan proactively: After writing out a brief description of your goals, decide on the best ways to deal with temptations that would hinder you from achieving them. For example, decide on how you would deal with the temptation of eating that big piece of cake or skipping gym classes when the occasion presents itself.
- Do not be secretive about your resolve for the year: Making your new year’s resolution a secret shouldn’t be an option. Feel free and be open to telling friends and/or family members about it. They most often would be there to support your resolve to change for the better.
- Track Progress: Keep track of every progress made. Short term goals are easier to track and every achievement, no matter how little can help keep you motivated.
- Celebrate your progress: At every point in time where you surmount or accomplish a preset target, do yourself the favor of rewarding yourself a little. In doing this however, ensure it is not something that completely mars or contradicts your resolution for the year.
- Don’t beat yourself up: Just like the popular saying of “Rome not being built in a day”, in the same vein, when you experience slips occasionally do not get obsessed over them. What matters most is your commitment and continuous efforts towards achieving your resolve for the year. Take it one day at a time and do the best you can each day.
- Be Persistent: If for some reason at the second quarter of the year you feel completely drained with little to no strength left to keep up with your resolve for the year, don’t give up. Everything good comes with pain.
