Keeping Your New Year's Resolution
2015 is creeping up faster than you could have imagined. And what is one thing we all do with the new year? Make resolutions. Admit it! You make resolutions. Sometimes you declare them and something you make them in your mind. But either way, we all look at a new year as a new start. We all say things like "this year I am going to...." and then we fill in the blank with whatever we hope for our new year. But are you keeping your New Year's Resolution? Are you evening remember your New Year's Resolution? There is a key to keeping those resolutions. And it isn't the quality of the goal - it is how we keep it on our mind and how we keep it relevant. Here are a few guidelines I have come up with to keep my resolution.
Plan Ahead. We all know the things we have been wanting all year. When making a resolution, start planning based on the feelings throughout the year. If you don't spend time thinking about it, you goal will be based off of the last few days. Which usually results in a weight goal since you probably ate your weight in Christmas treats. Am I right? Take time to make sure it is a goal you will still want in 6 months and not just until the sugar coma wears off.
Make it something you really want. Speaking of something you want... make sure it isn't just something you want but you wanted. What sort of life changes have been on your mind? Weight? Career? Relationship? Make sure it is not only something you will want in 6 months, but something you have wanted in previous months. Otherwise the novelty of it all wears off.
Limit your list. Think about what you already have on your plate. Are you swamped at work? Do you volunteer more than a normal human? Or are you just enjoying life day by day? Your resolution should never feel like a burden. Make sure you only add as many resolutions as you know you can control. I usually stick to one or two. That way my year is focused around that.
Make a plan. Once you have an idea of what you want to do, sit down and make a plan. A feasible, attainable plan. Think about how you will accomplish your goal.
Write it down. Write it all down. Write down the resolution, the killer plan you just made, and any specific dates, numbers, and anything else you will want to be able to track. Once it is written, it is in the forefront of your mind. It doesn't got lost in the background like, "Oh yeah... that was my resolution."
Display it somewhere. Don't hide it! If you take the time to plan it and write it, you might as well leave it out as a constant reminder. I am a firm believer in out of sight, out of mind. So leave it in sight, and in your mind.
Talk About It. Tell someone. Your spouse, your bestie, your hair stylist, your mom. Tell anyone that can ask you about it later and follow up with you. If they know that is your goal and you bring it to them, they wont be afraid to check in. And don't be afraid to talk about it on the day to day. The more you mention the more confidence you will have in your ability to accomplish.
Track Your Progress. Make sure you know how you are doing. This all comes back to being specific in your goal - which if you haven't heard of a SMART goal, you might want to check it out. If you are specific with things you want to change in your life, you can track it closer. Want to limit time on social media? How many minutes are you going to cut out? Want to stop being so snacky? What days are you going to eliminate the treats? Then track those numbers.
Stick to It. You didn't just come up with your resolution on a whim, you came up with it because it is something you truly want to accomplish! That is saying something. Don't give up just because of some persuading or downfalls. Stick to the plan. It takes time! Studies show most habits take 21 days to stick.
Keep Trying. Even if you stick to it, you are going to have your down days. You are changing habits here, people! Don't be hard on yourself when you mess up. Get up, dust it off, try again. If it is important to you, make it important! Don't just say "someday". Keep trying. Keep chugging. You got this!
So let's do this! What are your resolutions for 2015? Think about it. Plan it out. And let's make 2015 our year. Accomplish it all!