Making New Year's resolutions has become a habit entrenched in Western culture. An activity of sorts that has become synonymous with champagne and 10 second countdowns. All part of our quest to better ourselves and build richer lives but how many of us not only keep them, but see them materialize to the fullest? Below are 5 ways that have helped me not only make, but more importantly, keep my New Year's resolutions.
Get honest.
It’s important to be brutally honest (this may hurt a bit) about what matters to you and what will truly make you happy. Self reflection and a whole day with yourself is a good place to start. Perhaps you do not go through with resolutions because you set goals that you are not that passionate about. Get honest with yourself, what do you value? What is on your "must do before I die" list? What is of utmost priority in your life? Your partner, your family and your friends may want this and that for you but do you want? If getting a toned tummy or getting ahead at work are goals that you don’t care that much about, then why put them on your resolutions list? Concentrate on what truly matters and what will happy you (not anyone else) happy. If you dread doing it and are not tingling with excitement when you dream about it, then it is not for you.
Get real.
Setting realistic expectations is advised to us every year but what is so exciting what setting mediocre goals? I suggest forming at least one goal this year that seems really out there (for me last year it was creating my own blog); however, it is important to know your strengths and weaknesses (both mentally, emotionally and physically). Declaring to enter a competitive body fitness competition by the end of Spring when you haven’t set foot in a gym for years is unrealistic. Making a specific fitness goals and workout schedules for the next two months and then evaluating where you are and how to get to the next big goal; however, is. Baby steps lead to big leaps and subsequently, big results.
Also, if you are not ready this year for that big, great goal you have always wanted to fulfill then save it for next year. Be realistic in what you can actually achieve this year. If you know that are not mentally, emotionally, physically and above all, do not have the time to fulfill that certain goal than set your sights on something you will actually carry through with. However, keep in mind, nobody wants to be around that guy or girl who says, “I’ll do it next year”, every year. Do patient with yourself and what you can do but know, you don’t have all the time in the world.
Get specific.
It’s really easy to set big (yet undefined) goals. Many people start off the year with the proclamation that they want a better job but exactly does that mean? Being specific about what you atually want is much like building a house. What kind of bricks do you want? What kind of floor do you want your feet to walk on everyday? Just simply saying, “I want to build a house”, is a colossal endeavour which (if you are not specific) may lead to a colossal disappointment.
One also needs to be specific about the time frame of when they want to fulfill certain goals. In December 2012, when I knew that 2013 was going to be the year that I would launch my blog, I made it a point to set a specific date for when that would be. I did not say, “Sometime in 2013”, rather, I looked at my 2013 calendar and put a big red dot on Saturday, August 31st 2013 and the rest as they say, is history.
Get visual.
The first week of January is always the best for New Year’ resolutions because that is when you are the most excited about everything you want to fulfill. As time goes by that sense of giddiness dilutes and come March some of us forget altogether what we wanted and planned for in January. Writing things down on an actual piece of paper (you guys remember what that is right?) is the best way to a) not forget exactly what you want b) measure what you have already done and what still needs your attention and c) hold yourself accountable for the goals you set out months. Actually writing goals down, routinely reviewing and perhaps even adding to them as time goes by, will work as a constant reminder of what you set out for yourself in January. If you want to get really serious, I also suggest leaving little notes, quotes of inspiration (visual stimulants as I call them) on your mirror or bedside table to remind yourself what you truly want, what really matters.
Get off your tush.
“A goal without action is just a wish”, is as a cliché saying as it gets but it’s also as real of a saying as it gets. Being honest about what you want, setting realistic and specific timelines for goals, and adorning your room with every motivational quote you can find will mean nothing if you don’t put in the work. Dedicating time, energy and resources to a goal is the way to opening up that journal in December 2014 and saying, “I did what I said I would”.
A happy, healthy and productive year to you all!
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