It’s easy to make a New Year’s resolution at the start of each year. The tricky part is sticking to it. A resolution is really just a goal that you’re setting for yourself. And the tradition is to do it at the start of a new year. But the truth is, you can make a resolution any time of year. So feel free to use these steps for any goals or resolutions you set for yourself, no matter the time of year.
1. Create a Plan and Set Goals For Your New Year’s Resolution
If you’re serious about achieving and seeing results of your resolution then the first thing to do is make a plan. The idea behind a New Year’s resolution is that you have an entire year to achieve it.
You don’t have to accomplish your resolution within the year’s first month. Instead, that could be your planning month. So many of us jump right into our resolutions without thinking them through or taking the time to make them achievable. The more you plan and set goals for yourself the more likely you’ll be to stick to your resolutions.
The easiest way to start this process is to write it down. Write down your resolution. List out the steps it will take to achieve your resolution. Create a timeline for those steps and don’t forget to reward yourself throughout the process.
Check out my New Year’s Resolution Printable Bundle. It’s a printable download that will help you reflect on your past year’s resolutions and set goals for the year ahead in all different aspects of your life.
2. Break Your Goals Into Steps
It’s usually not possible to achieve your full resolution immediately. By breaking the goals of your resolution into steps you’re allowing yourself to progress in increments. This way you’ll see success along the way, build confidence, and ultimately achieve what you set out to.
The more progress we see when we create goals for ourselves, the more motivated we become to continue setting goals and achieving them. You’ll create momentum as you work through the steps you have created for yourself.
Most New Year’s Resolutions are in some way based on our self-care and wellness. The reality is you typically don’t see results immediately. For example, if your goal is to lose 20 lbs, you have 12 months to do that. So don’t set yourself up for failure by thinking you’ll achieve that by mid-February.
Instead, create a workout plan, nutrition plan, stretching plan, etc. Understand that your goal is multi-faceted and will take time. Set goals within your goals and reward your progress.
3. Revisit and Reevaluate Your New Year’s Resolution
Throughout the year take time to revisit your resolution. Whether you do this at the end or beginning of every month or quarterly – be sure to make time for it. Whatever works for you. The key is, to be honest with yourself.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Am I sticking to my goals and resolution?
- Am I happy with the results?
- Am I rewarding myself as I make progress and hit milestones?
- Do I need to reevaluate my goals and the steps I am taking?
- Did I give up and need to start over?
- Did I accomplish my resolution before the end of the year? If so, should I set more goals for myself to continue on my journey?
Keep an open dialogue with yourself as you go through the year and focus on your resolution. The more you revisit and reevaluate, the more on track you will stay.
4. Pay Attention to Yourself
It’s important to pay attention to how you feel throughout the process of seeing your New Year’s resolution through to fruition.
Two things to practice are mindset and mindfulness. Stay positive throughout the process of setting goals and achieving your resolution. This will help you continue to move forward and give you the energy to keep taking the steps to maintain your goals.
Part of paying attention to yourself is to be present within to acknowledge how you feel about the process. This will help as you evaluate your successes and anything you may be lacking throughout the process. It will also help you understand yourself and to be able to readjust your resolution if necessary.
Enjoy the process. Remember, you set your resolution for a reason. Keep that in site as you work through the goals and steps you set for yourself.