By Isabelle Aguilar, Delta College Student Submission
In the new year, many people feel excited or even pressured to make a New Year’s resolution, with the most common ones focusing on improving physical or mental health. The big question is: “What can I do to make my resolution last all year long?”
The truth is, sticking to a New Year’s resolution, especially if you made more than one, can become overwhelming. It requires realistic approaches and a clear plan; simply making the resolution is not enough. For instance, recent statistics show that only 9% of Americans actually keep their resolutions throughout the years.
Tanisha Quiroz, a goal-oriented individual, shared her thoughts on how she approaches New Year’s resolutions.
“I don’t limit myself to making New Year’s resolutions—I set goals throughout the year, focusing on things I want to accomplish or improve on. Two goals I’ve had for a while were to improve my credit and to publish my writing. This year, I’m proud to say I achieved both! I’m still working to build on those accomplishments, but it feels great to see progress and keep moving forward,” Quiroz says.
With a positive mindset and achievable strategies, it is possible to turn those goals into lasting habits. Here are five tips to help turn your resolution from a wish into reality:
Choose a specific goal
Instead of a broad goal like “lose weight” or “get in shape” try narrowing it down to a specific goal to make it clearer and easier to measure. A specific goal such as “lose 10 pounds in three months” or “run a 5k by June” creates a clear target, making it more likely that you will stay on track and motivated. This is a great strategy for making any resolution last longer and stay beneficial throughout the year.
Limit your resolutions
When starting the new year, it’s normal to want to have multiple resolutions. Keep in mind not to overdo it; it’s important to know your limits to avoid overwhelming yourself. It’s okay to focus on just one or two resolutions, especially if you’ve struggled to keep previous New Year’s resolutions. Focusing on fewer resolutions can actually improve your chances of meeting your goals and boost your confidence as you work towards achieving those goals.
Don’t repeat past failures
If you decide to work on a previously failed resolution, it is important to look back at past attempts before retrying the same goal over and over. Psychologist Richard Wiseman stated, “If people think they can do it they probably can, but if they’ve already tried and failed, their self-belief will be low.”
Instead of creating unrealistic expectations, take the time to consider what worked, what didn’t, and what challenges prevented you from meeting your goal. Altering your approach, or just making a few changes to your goal, can better your chances of success and help you build confidence as you progress.
Partner up with an accountability buddy
Partnering with someone who can check in on your progress and hold you accountable is a perfect way to help your resolution stick. Now the goal isn’t for them to guilt trip you or make you feel bad if you’re struggling with sticking with your resolution, it is having someone encourage you when keeping the goal becomes difficult. The best part? You can help them as well. Motivating each other creates a supportive dynamic that will boost your own determination to stay committed.
Put time into planning
Starting your goal without a plan will likely lead to frustration when faced with any sort of challenge, setback or resistance. For example, if your goal is to go to the gym three times a week, what will you do if you miss five days in a row? How will you continue if you need to take time off due to illness or injury? It’s helpful to start by writing down your goal, creating a list of the things you want to do to achieve that goal, and identifying all the possible obstacles that could stand in your way. This way, you’ll be better prepared to stick with your resolution and overcome whatever might come your way.
All things considered, New Year’s resolutions are all about growth, not perfection. Remember, it’s okay to take one step at a time. Whether you are sticking to one goal or a few, staying accountable, dedicated, and being kind to yourself throughout the process will make all the difference. The key is to continue making progress, even when challenges come your way. So, as you enter the new year, welcome the experience, and let your goals transform with you.
