Stay Resolved - 5 Great Strategies to Help Keep Your New Year's Resolution(s)
Happy 2020! With the start of a new year, many of you are gearing up to tackle your New Year's Resolutions (let's call them NYR for short...not to be confused with the New York Rangers). I use the word resolutions - plural - because typically we try and make a list of all the wonderful things we'd like to accomplish in the new year. It's a clean slate. A blank canvas for us to start fresh.
Exercise more and lose weight? Absolutely!
Eat healthier? For sure!
Quit smoking? Definitely!
Meet that special someone? Of course!
Make better financial decisions? Consider it done!
While all of the above (and countless more) NYR start with the best intentions, it's more than likely that very few of us will be able to keep them. In fact, it's estimated that less than 8-12% of people actually achieve their NYR over the course of the following year. But, that's not for lack of trying.
Keeping up with your NYR is challenging. Here are some tips to help you stay focused in the weeks and months ahead, and give yourself the best chance to achieve your NYR goal.
✓ One Resolution is Enough >> People typically have a long list of NYR that they'd like to tackle. The problem is that when you focus on too many things at once, more often than not, things simply don't get done. The solution to this? Set a single NYR goal for 2020. Want to lose weight and get healthier? Go for it! Want to quit smoking? Get it done!
✓ Set Realistic and Specific Goals >> Simply saying that "I'm going to lose weight in 2020" is a good start...but it's just that...a start. Aiming for a specific target will help you stay motivated. And, most importantly, those targets need to be realistic and divided into frequent intervals. Want to lose 20 pounds over the course of year? Great! How many pounds per month? How many pounds per week? Same goes for quitting smoking, etc.
✓ Have a Plan >> Setting a goal without having a plan is like starting the Indy 500 with barely any fuel in your tank; you'll be able to get off the line when the green flag drops but you'll never make it to the checkered flag! Create a comprehensive plan. What is it you wish to do? How will you accomplish it? What tools do you have at your disposal? How much time can you devote to it per day? Per week? Per month? Write all this down. Keep track of your progress.
✓ Celebrate Milestones Along The Way >> Even a small victory is just that...a victory! Lost 2 pounds? Great! Went on a third date with someone you think you like? Fantastic! Down to 10 cigarettes per day from 15 Impressive! Embrace your progress. Indulge...a little...but not in a way to undermine your progress!
✓ Have a NYR Buddy >> Share your progress and success with someone close to you. Be excited when you tell them how well things are going. Conversely, if you had a set back, tell them how you feel, and how you're going to reset and continue. Relying on someone for support will help you achieve your goal.
Losing weight and getting into better shape is the most common New Year's Resolution. Nagging aches and pains can make an already challenging goal that much more difficult to achieve. Sore back? Achy neck? Nagging knee pain? Let me know how I can help!
