By Alexandra Savage
With finals around the corner, we might not be thinking about December break yet, let alone New Year’s Day. However, this is the perfect time to start thinking about those New Year’s resolutions. I’m definitely guilty of pouring time into thinking about a great resolution only to break it several weeks later. It can be hard to stick to a plan, especially when the excitement wears off. That’s why I’ve put together a guide with all of my advice for sticking to your New Year’s resolution, even when it’s difficult.
1. Start Small
Whenever I make resolutions, I have a tendency to assume that I’ll have a complete shift in personality that I’ve never experienced in my entire life. While it’s important to believe in yourself, it’s also crucial to be realistic when making resolutions. For instance, if you never go running, you may struggle with running a marathon by the end of the year. Instead, start small. If you give yourself a goal that seems impossible to reach, you won’t feel as motivated to start.
2. Break it up
You can accomplish a large goal by breaking it up into several smaller goals. One common resolution is to read a certain number of books by the end of the year. Rather than picking a number for the end of the year, I would recommend setting a smaller target each month. I’ve found that it’s easier to finish a series of small tasks when one large task feels too overwhelming.
3. Tell Someone To Hold You Accountable
When I tell someone about a goal, I feel an added pressure to see it through. When I keep the goal to myself, I don’t feel as bad if I quit, but telling a friend about my plan prevents me from giving up because I would have to take accountability for giving up to another person. Indeed, social pressure can be a powerful motivator when trying to stick out a resolution. Though hopefully, your friends will cheer you on even if your goals aren’t quite met.
4. Attitude is Everything
The most important part of keeping a resolution is to maintain a positive attitude. Your mindset can influence how you achieve your goals. Sometimes, finishing a goal is all about how you recover from failure. Though New Year’s resolutions can be a good excuse for self-improvement, it is helpful to not pressure yourself too much. You should still prioritize your mental and physical well-being over completing a goal.
In conclusion, there are a lot of factors that go into creating a New Year’s resolution. Making realistic goals, breaking them down into manageable pieces, and keeping a good attitude are all important parts to not giving up a month in. Each day of the year brings a new opportunity, so do all you can to feel good and better yourself!
