Making a resolution is for you and you alone! Usually, resolutions are set at the top of a new year. However, you can set resolutions at any time! You can simply make a resolution whenever your heart desires and clock it to end whenever you see fit.
Most of us may know through personal experiences that resolutions are much easier to make than to keep. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it all you’ve got! Check out these five tips sticking to your resolutions and seeing them through to the finish line.
#1 Be Realistic
Remember this: whatever is your goal – the important thing is that you are honest with yourself and that you set resolutions according to your lifestyle. If you are not the outdoors type, setting a resolution that requires you to be outdoors often isn’t realistic. Be real with yourself and be sure to consider the resources and time you have available to help you meet your goals.
If you find yourself having more time on the weekends opposed to the work week, then be mindful of the amount of time you want to carve out to meet your resolution needs. For instance, if you want to compete in a marathon, you will obviously need to train for it. If your only availability to train is during the weekends, then set aside enough training days to get you prepped and ready to race.
Sometimes being realistic can be tough but it’s so worth it in the long haul.
#2 Give Yourself Grace
For most women, grace is something we don’t give ourselves enough of. Everyone experiences failure. It’s what builds our character. For your goal to be attainable, it’s important that you don’t be too hard on yourself. You are human and some days we just need to rest and indulge in self-care. In giving yourself some grace, you are specifying what positive goals of success looks like, while being honest with yourself.
#3 Stay Positive
Staying positive may be easier said than done, especially when you’re ready to throw in the towel. When change is underway, it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Focusing on the positives will help you stick to your resolution and make it happen.
For every negative doubt, try to counter with a positive thought. It’s so important to believe not just in yourself but in your goal and try to constantly remind yourself of the benefits and the impact it will have on your life. There’s a bigger purpose in why you assigned this resolution to yourself in the season, and you should honor it as such. It’s not just the end goal that matters—it’s the journey along the way.
#4 Get Support
Where is your tribe and do they have the same resolution as you? When sticking to a resolution the last thing you need are naysayers. Those negative folks who only love misery are not the crowd you want to find yourself among. Camaraderie makes sticking to your resolutions more fun, too.
When making a resolution you will need all the support during this time of transition so don’t be shy in keeping it a secret. Explain what your goals are to your close friends or family and enlist them to help you achieve your objectives.
Whether that means them chiming in when you’re reaching for a soda pop (after you just shared you are trying to kick the habit of soda intake). Who knows, maybe one of your like-minded pals or loved one has been wanting to do it but never brave enough to do it on their own! Accountability partner, please!
#5 Be Specific
While setting resolutions is a great practice, try being more specific in the language behind the intent of the resolution. The more specific you are in creating your resolution, the less likely you will be in breaking it.
For example, if you say your resolution is to lose weight, try rephrasing your resolution to: I want to cut sweets out of my diet during the week and limit my sweets intake on the weekends. It’s vital to tunnel vision in on something more concrete that you can realistically set your sights on.
Keep in mind when deciding on a resolution to make it as solid and achievable as possible so it gives you the opportunity to plan exactly how you are going to accomplish (and stick to) your goal over the course of the year.
Related: 10 Goals to Make the Most Of Your Life in the New Year
Be kind to yourself. Sometimes, the difference between experiencing success and indulging in failure is simply choosing the right goal and the process you use to go about achieving it. Have you ever set a goal and saw the results you wanted? How often do you set resolutions?
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1 thought on “5 Tips for Sticking to Your Resolutions”
Support as you work towards your goals isn’t required, but can make a huge difference!