Alas, the new year! The most common question we get asked around this time of the year – “what is your new years resolution?” Sometimes we have an answer straight away – the most common being: “get fit!” or “eat healthier”. Or maybe you, like me in previous years haven’t even made new years resolutions! I mean who even sticks to them past February anyway? Only 36% of participants according to one study recently done in the UK & Australia.
This year however, I took a long time to think seriously about what my new years resolutions may be.. I decided I wanted to make calculated new year’s resolutions that will last well past February! So lets get into it – my 5 best tips on how to make new year’s resolutions that you’ll actually stick to!
5. Reflect on the year you’ve had and think about what made you happy – what do you want to prioritize and continue in the new year?
When thinking about creating what we WANT to be, its important to reflect upon what we HAVE been. What do we want to do more of, what do we want to do less of? What made us feel happy, what made us feel sad? Do some journaling and don’t be afraid to dig deep into what makes you feel content.
4. Make sure that it is YOUR resolution, and not anyone else’s!
This is very important! It’s so easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing and think that it will work for you as well. Running a marathon may not be your forte, so you don’t have to feel like you have to do something crazy like that! (Spoken from someone who clearly hasn’t run a marathon!) Maybe going for a walk 4 times a week is more your pace? Choose something that is achievable and doable for you! Which leads onto…
3. Make it realistic
Be realistic about what you can achieve in a year. Especially if you are financially or fitness driven. There’s a big difference between writing down a goal and actually putting in the hours to achieve it. Don’t make it too easy but make it something that with some adjustments could fit into your lifestyle and help you to live your best year yet! Remember to be flexible and adapt your resolutions with your circumstances as this will have the greatest impact to your health and wellbeing long term.
2. Create a bucket list and make deadlines for when you will complete them
This is a great tip for anyone that is motivated by lists (pick me!). I can be a great procrastinator at times, even if its something that I really want to achieve so making deadlines for myself has been a complete game changer! I recommend this especially for those fun activities that you’ve always wanted to try but can never find the time or justify the money to do them – pick a date and make it work!
1. Be growth focused not goal focused
I was enlightened to this recently from the podcast ‘On Purpose with Jay Shetty’ and I just love this! This is definitely what I have focused my new years resolutions on this year. What will help you to grow – emotionally, physically, spiritually… We all want to do better, be better – and these are all encapsulated by having a growth focused mindset.
Gone are the days of making silly little resolutions that get us nowhere – lets make this new year OUR year and be in charge of what we actively give our time, dedication and effort to. Let me know in the comments below if this helped you or if you have any other tips for making new years resolutions that you’ll actually stick to!
Sources:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210325084851.htm
