How to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions: 9 Tips to Succeed
Alongside making wishes, there's the tradition of New Year's resolutions: learning Chinese, reading 50 books a year, or taking graphic design classes. We've prepared a guide on how to fulfill your resolutions and turn your wishes into reality.
To fulfill your personal promises, it's important to understand why things might not go as planned. Discover the tradition of resolutions, their potential drawbacks, and how to stay motivated.
Why Make New Year's Resolutions
The New Year is not only a magical holiday but also a starting point. From January 1st, it's common to begin a new life: for some, it means being more productive at work; for others, spending more time with family. This date symbolizes new beginnings and change, which is why many try to solidify desired changes with promises.
Pros and Cons of Setting Resolutions for the New Year
Many people are skeptical of making plans in advance and approach New Year's resolutions with caution. This isn't just due to fear of failure or reluctance to follow popular examples — the tradition of resolutions has both pros and cons. We've compiled them in a table below.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| An opportunity to try new things in life | Stress due to the responsibility of commitments |
| Developing new skills | Fear of new beginnings |
| Understanding your strengths and setting priorities | Decreased self-esteem in case of failure |
| Development of self-discipline | Feeling lost without a plan |
| Motivation to take action | Comparing your results with others |
How to Set Achievable Goals
To make your resolutions more than just a list and bring them to life, follow some simple but vital rules. We've highlighted key points and prepared recommendations.
SMART Goals
The way a goal is formulated accounts for 60% of its success. To achieve your resolutions, consider the SMART system.
- Specific — make a promise that directly relates to your life and needs. Goals that are vaguely formulated and do not align with your interests usually remain unfulfilled.
Example of a goal that doesn't work:
I want to change my career field.
Better example:
I want to start a career in graphic design.
- Measurable — add criteria for evaluating effectiveness. Use numbers or recognized systems: for example, reading 50 books or improving Spanish to level B2. It allows you to track your progress and understand how close you are to your target.
A goal that doesn't work:
I want my home to be cozier.
Better example:
I want to remodel my kitchen in beige tones to make it cozier.
- Achievable — the goal should be realistic. Sure, it's okay to dream big, but you're likely to feel disappointed if your big ideas don't pan out.
A goal that doesn't work:
I want to learn how to surf.
Better example:
I want to buy a ticket to a surfing school in Bali.
- Relevant — avoid popular resolutions if they don't genuinely interest you. Look for what brings true joy and happiness to your life.
A goal that doesn't work:
I want more daily activities.
Better example:
I want to attend Pilates three times a week to improve my posture.
- Time-bound — setting deadlines not only optimizes your energy but also turns promises into plans. Choose a comfortable deadline and start acting!
A goal that doesn't work:
I want to learn Spanish.
Better example:
I want to improve my Spanish to level B2 by November.
Make a Detailed Plan
Many people list their promises but skip detailed planning. This approach not only slows progress but can also cause stress due to a lack of direction. It's better to plan steps in advance using diagrams, tables, or simple drawings. At this stage, details are crucial to see the sequence and determine where to start.
Considering Potential Setbacks
Various obstacles can arise on your path. While avoiding all of them is impossible, you can anticipate those most likely to occur. For example, if you tend to procrastinate, don't set overly short deadlines. Instead, create a flexible schedule that won’t stress you out and will help you organize your work comfortably.
Resource Assessment
Promises can vary in significance and resources required. Consider not only the financial aspect but also time, energy, and necessary knowledge. Evaluating your capabilities will help prioritize and choose relevant and achievable directions.
Measuring Results
Once you've made your resolution, focus on the process. The constant urge to see results can be harmful: anxiety will prevent you from enjoying the journey and cause haste. When setting deadlines, decide when to review and summarize progress, and adjust your plan if needed.
5 Tips to Help Achieve Your Goals
Many abandon resolutions due to a lack of motivation. There are numerous ways to uplift your spirit and find inspiration: create a pleasant ritual or share your goal with loved ones. We've shared proven tips to simplify the path to achieving your goals.
Find a Likeminded Partner
Achieving goals can require significant time and effort. To ease this challenge, find someone who shares your interests and values. Overcoming difficulties together is much easier, and you'll have support from someone who truly understands you.
Where to Find People with Similar Goals
- business conferences,
- workshops,
- interest clubs,
- courses,
- forums,
- social media communities,
- networking platforms.
Make Promises Public
If you fear delaying your promises, share them with acquaintances. This can easily be done by posting on social media or telling loved ones about your plans. Doing so not only shares your excitement but also makes the promise tangible, adding to your sense of responsibility.
Remind Yourself of the Reasons
Motivation quickly fades if the reasons behind actions become unclear. To maintain your drive, regularly remind yourself why you're doing it. Use vision boards, sticky notes, or even set motivating wallpapers with inspiring quotes.
Create a Pleasant Ritual
Instead of forcing yourself to do routine or uninteresting tasks, add small pleasures. This could be listening to a favorite podcast, lighting an aromatic candle, or making a small purchase — anything that brings good vibes. Over time, these rituals will become habits, and the necessary actions will become a routine.
Celebrate Completed Stages
Don't wait for a major success to pat yourself on the back — small victories are enough. For example, you promised yourself to run 30 miles, but all you can do now is 5 miles. While it may not seem impressive, it's still a beneficial activity that will help you get closer to your goal.
Conclusion
You don't need to wait for the New Year to make resolutions. Change your life when you have the motivation and genuine desire. Maybe, you'll find inspiration on an ordinary Monday, or the holiday magic will give you confidence. Let this moment be special, regardless of the season, and bring you happiness.
