WE’RE already well on our way in the new year, and for those of you who made some New Year’s resolutions – well done!
To those who’ve managed to stick with them – even better.
But even for those of us who have yet to outline our resolutions, or who’ve already failed, there’s still hope. Just hit the reboot button and follow these tips.
Tip#1: Avoid past mistakes
If you’re going with the same resolution year after year, you might want to change it up a bit. This might mean simply changing your strategy this year because, undoubtedly, your self -esteem will be lowered with each attempt. Chat to others who’ve managed to succeed and determine what worked for them. Or simply try something different this year that’s achievable and start afresh next year.
Tip#2: Start small
One of the biggest setups to failure is going in too big. You might have a big ambition for this New Year’s resolution, but you need to start with bite-sized chunks. If you’re looking to lose weight, start by eating a few healthier foods, reducing portions or exercising a few days a week – but you don’t have to do it all at once. As you begin to feel the results, it gets easier to make those changes.
Tip#3: Identify your triggers
Bad habits are habits for a reason. Whether it’s a response to stress or boredom, we can only break them when we know what causes them in the first place. If you’re biting your nails because of stress, consider replacing that habit with something else, like squeezing a stress ball or taking a quick walk around the house. If you know why you’re doing something, it’s much easier to know how you’re going to stop it.
Tip#4: Get a sponsor
This might be sounding like an AA meeting, but breaking any bad habit – or starting on a good one – requires some form of support. Ask a friend or family member to monitor your progress, and just lend some support for when you feel yourself slipping. If there’s someone with a similar goal, it could be easier to motivate each other through the process.
Tip#5: Renew your motivation
We’re all fired up at the start of a new year, making it easier to commit to the New Year’s resolution. However, as work starts and real life kicks in, old habits come back to haunt us. When you feel your resolve lagging, either contact your sponsor or try to renew your motivation by remembering why you committed to the resolution in the first place.
Tip#6: Adapt where you must
If you’re finding your New Year’s resolution almost impossible to achieve, then adapt it to make it achievable. You don’t have to give up completely. It might be that you overlooked tip#2 and bit off more than you could chew, which would mean adapting your resolution somewhat. This could require you to scale it down a bit, or simply adapt your approach.
Tip#7: Celebrate the milestones
All the hard work without reward can make sticking to the resolutions that much tougher. Set a target – whether it’s every month or even once a week – and reward yourself accordingly. If you’re trying to get in shape, you could consider rewarding yourself with a new item of fitness clothing to keep you motivated!
After such challenging times, any achievement is worthwhile. If you’ve had some success with your 2022 New Year’s resolutions, share your secret and help motivate others!
