We’re still at the start of the year but it’s never too early to think about the future. In particular, how you’re going to stick to the resolutions you’ve set for yourself.
Whether they’re about health, money, relationships or any other area in your life, the right approach can go a long way. Here’s what you can do to help crush your New Year’s goals.
Be Specific
When people talk about New Year’s resolutions, you’ll hear them say things like “I want to save more this year” or “I want to hit the gym more often”. These are definitely admirable goals but what does “saving more” or “going to the gym more” look like?
It’s hard to hit your goals when they’re ambiguous. You can’t aim for a target that you can’t see, after all. That’s why you need to be as specific as possible with what you want to achieve.
Want to save more money? How much money can you afford to save each month? What about working out? Which days of the week will you be going to the gym?
If you get down and dirty with the details, you’re less likely to get derailed.
Make It Easy To Do
Let’s say that one of your goals is to eat out less. But after coming home from a busy day at work, you may not have the energy to cook up a meal.
To get around this, consider planning out your meals and cooking them in advance during the weekend. That way, all you have to do is reheat the food, which is much more convenient.
If you want to stick to your goals, you can’t rely on willpower alone. Make the option that leads to your objectives the easiest choice.
Surround Yourself with the Right People
Resolutions are about making a change in your life. Since you’re reading this, you know that change is difficult and you need help along the way.
Whether it’s family, friends or even an online group, we all need people who support us and what we do. If you’re having a tough time following through with your resolutions, try and share your experience with them. You’ll often find that you’re not the only one who’s gone through a similar situation.
A little bit advice and encouragement might just be what you need to get headed in the right direction.
Learn From Your Mistakes
If sticking to New Year’s goals were easy, we wouldn’t be talking about them. You’ll face many challenges while working towards your goals, some more difficult than others.
Missed a gym day? Perhaps you need to work on your schedule. Didn’t meet your savings goal for the month? Maybe you need to track where your money is going and make some adjustments.
Don’t let setbacks stop you from working towards your goal. Instead, treat them as a learning experience to see what you can improve.
Start the year off right and set yourself up for success. By thinking about what you need to do to actually reach your goals, you’re much more likely to achieve them.
When you look back twelve months from now, will you be proud of what you’ve accomplished?