At the beginning of a new year, it’s easy to think about what you want to achieve over the next 12 months.
It’s much harder to actually stick to these goals and realize your ambitions.
According to some studies, 3 in 10 Americans make at least one New Year’s resolution.
However, many people stray from their resolutions as the year progresses, and some don’t reach their goals at all.
So what’s the secret? How can you actually stick to your New Year’s resolutions this time? Read on to find out!
Where did New Year’s resolutions come from?
Every New Year’s Day, millions of people pledge to improve themselves or achieve a goal by the end of the year.
This is a common tradition that some historians believe dates back to the 17th century. A diary entry by author Anne Halkett in 1671 was titled ‘Resolutions’ and included promises not to offend anymore.
In 1813, a Boston newspaper also wrote about people who were especially hedonistic in December and then began new behaviors and resolutions in January.
Today, one of the most common New Year’s resolutions among Americans is to exercise more, with some surveys showing that around 1 in 5 Americans set this goal.
Other popular resolutions include saving money, becoming happier, learning a new skill, spending more time with family, and getting a new job.
Why do people struggle to keep their New Year resolutions?
Polling among Americans has shown that while people stick to their resolutions in the early months of the year, far fewer people complete them fully.
Some surveys indicate almost half of people who set resolutions even expect themselves to give up after the first month!
There are many reasons for this. Some people are a little too overambitious with their resolution plans on New Year’s Eve, while others simply don’t have enough time or money to fulfill their goals.
Other people lack a plan or motivation and struggle to keep going when doing it alone. In some cases, people forget about their New Year’s resolutions altogether!
So, what’s the secret to sticking to New Year’s resolutions?
According to psychologists, mindset and behaviors play a big role in whether or not you stick to your resolutions.
The first step is to understand what you want to change. Be specific about it, and avoid being vague.
If you want to get healthier, what does this look like? Does it involve running five times per week or eating more healthy vegetables?
You can improve your chances of success by making a plan and tracking your progress. Add it to your calendar and include it in your weekly schedule.
Make the time to start creating the changes you want to see in your life and track your progress throughout the year.
Working toward goals can be easier if you do it with other people, too. Even if you can’t convince someone to go on this journey with you, look for support in your social circles.
Tell your friends and family what you aim to achieve and ask them to help you along the way.
What are the best ways to make New Year’s resolutions?
Have patience when setting new goals at the start of the year.
You won’t be able to do everything immediately, but if you stick with it, you will begin to notice small changes.
As you notice a positive difference, this will motivate you to keep going even more!
Think about what you can achieve in the space of a year.
Don’t try to be too ambitious with your New Year’s resolutions. If you’re starting out in your career, it might be unrealistic to try and become a CEO by December.
Instead, aim for smaller but meaningful achievements, such as a promotion or recognition for your hard work.
Write down your New Year’s resolutions and prioritize them.
If you have one big goal, split it into smaller goals to help you achieve it. Decide which are most important and in which order you need to change certain habits or complete tasks.
Making resolutions on New Year’s Day can be a fun way to achieve your goals from one year to the next.
It’s not always easy to stick with what you’ve decided and follow through with your ambitions, though.
Many people worldwide give up or fail on their resolutions because they’re too busy, unmotivated, or disorganized.
But with realistic goals, the right level of determination, and a good plan of action, you can actually stick to your New Year’s resolutions and achieve your dreams!
