This year you will keep your New Year's resolution!
Every new year is full of expectations, hopes and new beginnings. Many of us make New Year's resolutions at the beginning of January - from improving our health to career growth. But unfortunately, it often happens that these great plans quickly become just a distant memory. Why is this so? And what can we do about it to really keep our resolutions this year? We have prepared a guide for you on how to do it!
1. Be specific – no "I want to be healthier"
A common mistake when setting New Year's resolutions is to make them too vague. Instead of saying "I want to be healthier," try setting a specific goal. For example, "I want to exercise 5 times a week for 30 minutes" or "I want to add 5 servings of vegetables to my diet a day." The more specific the goal, the easier it is to work towards it and then measure your progress.
This step is crucial because it will help you not only know exactly what you want to achieve, but also give you specific steps on how to achieve it.
2. Set small, achievable steps
Don't rush into making huge changes right away. For example, if you're planning to lose weight, you don't need to start with a goal of losing 20 pounds in the first two months. Instead, set small goals: "I'll lose 2 pounds this month" or "I'll go for a walk every day." Each small success will then motivate you and strengthen your resolve.
If you decide to improve your health, focus first on regular exercise or a change in your diet, rather than radical diets or extreme training plans. Remember that slow but steady progress leads to permanent and sustainable changes.
3. A clear reason "why"
Motivation can be very strong at first, but as time goes by, it starts to fade. That's why it's important to have a strong reason for why you want to achieve a given goal. Why do you want to lose weight? What will exercise do for you? What is your personal reason for making this particular change? This reason should be your driving force during the more challenging times.
If you have a clear reason for doing what you do, it will be easier to persevere even when your motivation wanes. Write your reason down somewhere visible, or in a notebook, and remind yourself of it every day.
4. Track your progress
Measure your progress, even if it's just a small step forward. There's nothing more motivating than seeing the results of your efforts, whether it's improving your fitness, increasing your productivity, or changing your habits. For example, use apps or diaries to help you track how you're doing over time.
For example, if you have a goal of exercising three times a week, create a calendar where you write down how you exercised each week. This visualization will give you clear feedback and support you in your next steps.
5. Share your goals with others
Sharing your resolutions can be a great way to keep yourself accountable. When you talk about your goals with friends or family, you create a commitment that will make you more motivated to stick to it. For example, if you set a goal like exercise, you can arrange to workout with a friend.
A supportive environment is great fuel to keep you going. And if you can, join challenges or groups that are working towards the same goals as you. This way, you'll have a better chance of success.
6. Forgive yourself when you fail.
It’s perfectly normal to encounter obstacles on your journey to your goals. You might have a day when you don’t have the energy to exercise, or you might break your diet. Don’t lose motivation – instead, forgive yourself and keep going. The important thing is not to panic and give up after the first setback.
In the end, every day is a new opportunity to start over. When you fail, take it as an opportunity to learn and improve. Every step back is only temporary if you choose to keep going.
7. Take advantage of modern technology
The modern world offers us a lot of tools to stay motivated and track our progress. There are apps that help you track your physical activity, eat healthier, plan tasks, and measure your performance. Some apps even allow you to set reminders to remind you not to avoid your commitments.
Modern technology can be a great help in keeping you on track and motivated to achieve your goals.
8. Celebrate successes, even if they are small.
Every achievement, no matter how small, is a reason to celebrate. Remember to enjoy the feeling of victory when you achieve something you set out to do. Whether you managed to exercise all week, read a book, or kicked a bad habit, celebrate. Celebrating will not only help you maintain positive energy, but it will also boost your motivation for the days to come.
Keeping your New Year's resolutions isn't easy, but it's certainly not impossible. The key is to set specific and achievable goals, track your progress, find a strong reason for change, be patient, and be prepared for potential setbacks. With the support of others, modern technology, and a positive attitude, you have all the tools to truly achieve your goals this year. So, are you ready to get started? We believe you can do it this year!
