10 Best Strategies to Make Your New Year Resolution Consistent
It’s 2016 and most of us are struggling to come up with a few New Year’s promises that, frankly, we’ll probably forget about in February. Here’s how to create a resolution that really sticks so you can improve yourself this year.
A version of this post was originally posted on December 29, 2012.
10. Focus on one solution
One of the first mistakes people make is planning too many decisions. The fewer things your brain has to decide, the better , and you can focus all your motivation on one decision, increasing your chances of success. Need ideas? Check out our 10 easiest- to-use solutions, or pick one of the top five and follow our guide to ensure it’s successful .
9. Make someone hold you accountable
Having an accountability buddy is old but tried and true advice on how to stick to your decisions. Share your goals with a few close family and friends who will be honest with you and keep you on track. Heck, if you’re having a hard time coming up with a good resolution, these buddies can help you pick one too (since they know you best, flaws and all). However, don’t overdo it. Remember that sometimes sharing with too many people can hinder your progress .
8. Set ultra-specific goals.
New Year’s resolutions are often large and generic and therefore difficult to implement. The more specific you can be, the easier it will be to achieve this goal . “Losing weight” or “getting in shape” is a bad decision; “Lose 15 pounds by March” is a good option. It’s also good to set some specific goals throughout the year. That way, you always have something achievable to focus on that doesn’t seem far from reality.
7. Align your decision with existing habits
If your decision is about forming small habits – for example, daily flossing or taking daily vitamins – you can combine those habits with others you already have . Floss in the shower and floss while you shower, or place a jar of vitamins in your kitchen cupboard so you always remember to grab them during breakfast. The more easily you can form this habit, the more likely it will remain unchanged.
6. Do a test run
Not every resolution is perfect right away, so don’t hold on to a poorly formulated goal if it just doesn’t work. Give yourself a 30-day trial run to work through the nuances where you can afford to stumble a bit and adjust your goals to better suit your success. Keep in mind that not all habits are formed in 21 days as popular belief, so even after a trial run, give yourself time to get used to the habit before you start to admit defeat.
5. Deceive your mind
A decision is difficult to comply with without a sense of accomplishment. Setting specific, gradual goals can help, but playing with yourself is another trick. The placebo effect can be very helpful in keeping you motivated , even if you know you are using it on yourself. Focus on anything that makes you feel like you are succeeding. If you are trying to lose weight, eating small plates will make you “feel” full, even if, for example, you eat the same amount of food. Do whatever you need to do to trick your mind and you will be on your way to success.
4. Visualize the end result.
As writer Rod Ebrahimi says , “focus on the carrot, not the stick.” If you’re having trouble staying motivated, focus on what you’ll get out of your ultimate goal – whether it’s getting better with less weight, being able to impress friends with your new guitar skills, or just being able to breathe now that you’ve quit. smoke. Maintaining a positive attitude seems like common sense, but it can be difficult when you are in the middle of a large plateau.
3. Measure your progress carefully
Once you’ve set specific goals for yourself, it should be easy to get positive reinforcement. Every time you set each of these goals, even if it’s just a daily goal, mark it on a checklist or calendar. You can even go further and use the Don’t Break the Chain goal setting method , which is great for daily goals like writing every day or exercising 5 times a week. For other resolutions, try one of our five favorite goal tracking services to measure your progress.
2. Remind yourself of your goals every day.
If you find it difficult to keep your goals in mind, you can use one of the many tricks to constantly remind yourself (in addition to tracking your progress). Set an alarm on your phone telling you why you’re doing this, webcam yourself every day, or use dry erase markers to jot down your goals on your bathroom mirror .
1. Get Started Now
Do not wait! Whether you’re reading this in late December or mid-July, start now – with even small changes that will prepare you for the big leap – and you’ll be one step closer to achieving your goals. There is no reason your goals should start on January 1st – even if it is today – so call these accountability buddies, write down your milestones, and start making your decision now.
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