Ways to keep New Year's resolutions

New Year’s resolutions are often made in the euphoria of the midnight hour, then promptly forgotten in the haze of the hangover or plain tiredness in the morning. If you are someone who has made a New Year’s resolution and is looking to achieve a goal in the new year, then here are some tips on how to stick to your New Year’s resolution.

1. Write it down

Writing down your objective gives you the opportunity to be specific about what it is you want to achieve. If you don’t write it down, chances are you will forget what your original resolution was!

2. Be specific regarding your goal

If you want to lose weight, rather than just writing down “lose weight”, set yourself an achievable goal such as “Lose 10 pounds before Easter”. Having a more precise version of what you want to achieve will be significantly helpful when working towards your goal.

3. Break it down

Determine how you want to achieve your goal, step by step. Unless your New Year’s resolution is to break your resolution, no one achieves their goals overnight. Sit down and think about how you can work towards achieving your goal, and most importantly, write it all down!

4. Get support

Having a partner, friend, relative or anyone who can support you in helping you achieve your goal will be a major boost to your challenge. This person can provide encouragement, quell self doubt and share your success. But be sure to choose carefully who will support you, avoid negative people at all costs; you only want positive support and encouragement.

5. Reward yourself

Changing a habit, achieving a goal, completing a challenge are all tests of willpower. When you achieve a small step towards your goal, reward yourself in a way that makes you feel good. However this does not mean take a step backwards – for example if your goal is weight loss do not reward yourself with a treat; or if you want to quit smoking do not reward yourself with a cigarette! Go to a movie, buy a new dress, go to a football game – just a small something that is a reward for all your hard work.

6. Accept that there may be bumps along the way

Just because you may slip up does not mean you have to give up on you New Year’s resolution. Really any time of the year is a good time of year to work towards a goal. If you experience a setback, remember that you are human and entitled not to be perfect and then carry on towards achieving your goal again. Success does not mean never failing, it means never quitting.

Humans have proven they are capable of amazing things. Your New Year’s resolution is an opportunity to prove to yourself what you are capable of. If it turns out this is not the year for you to keep your New Year’s resolution, well there’s always next year!