How to Make Good New Year's Resolutions
New Year, new you! Okay, maybe not “new” you, but perhaps a “more improved” you. Tis the season for New Year’s Resolutions, the annual goals that we do (or more often, do not) keep. If you’re a habitual resolution-giver-upper, don’t quit yet! This is your sign to stay the course. Follow these steps and you’ll be achieving your new-and-improved New Year’s Resolutions in no time.
1. Be Realistic
A good resolution is achievable. Chances are you’re not going to run a marathon if you’ve never gone for a jog, but training for a 10k? That’s much more manageable. At the end of the day, New Year’s Resolutions are personal goals. They should build on the skills or habits you have already, not replace them entirely. Achieving a goal takes intention. Set yourself up for success by making a resolution that, even if it’s a challenge, you have the baseline capacity to keep.
2. Stay Positive
Way too many New Year’s Resolutions are self-deprecating. Boo! Boring!! Not yours!!! Goal-setting shouldn’t feel like a punishment! You don’t have to say “I don’t like this about myself, so my New Year’s Resolution is to fundamentally change a part of my life or personality.” Break free of the deficit mindset and look on the brighter side: Positive goals include joining a volunteer organization, practicing mindfulness, smiling more, or watching [#] movies or reading [#] books. You’ll have an easier time keeping a goal that makes you feel good about yourself than you will keeping a goal that doesn’t.
3. Be Specific
There’s nothing wrong with a general New Year’s Resolution. (Who among us wouldn’t benefit from going to the beach more or drinking more water?) But words like “more” or “better” aren’t quantifiable. When setting goals for the New Year, be realistic and specific. Let’s say last year you read six books, or a book every two months. This year shoot for 12 books, or a book once a month. If you’re doing that 10k, you might choose a specific race to train for. Being specific about your goal, whatever it may be, is the key to managing your time and expectations.
4. Set Routines
Ah yes, everyone’s favorite part of goal-setting… accountability. Now that you’ve got these great, realistic, positive, and specific goals, you’ve got to get out there and do something about them! A good resolution either fits neatly into the routines you already have (reading on your commute) or helps you establish new routines (training for a race) that will help you reach your goal. No routine is perfect, either. You’re gonna miss some days. We all do. Take baby steps, stick with it, and most importantly…
Happy New Year!