Making New Year’s Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

Every year, people create New Year’s Resolutions with the best intentions. Whether they revolve around health, finances, family, friends, or something else altogether, starting the New Year with a clean slate and specific goals can feel empowering. But many people find that time flies and soon three months have passed and you haven’t come any closer to meeting that goal. Whether it was too lofty, your schedule was too busy, or you simply forgot, it’s easy to make excuses and make a promise that you’ll try again next year. But why not make resolutions you can stick with now? Try these simple tips to make your goals manageable.

Keep it Small
When you’re determining which resolutions you want to make, start out simple to begin with. Consider why goals haven’t worked in the past and adjust them to meet your lifestyle in a more manageable way. Do you want to start running more? Instead of aiming for a 5K within the first month, set a goal to shave some time off your one-mile time first. When goals are smaller and easier to meet, it becomes easier to encourage yourself to keep going.

Don’t Overwhelm Yourself
If most of your goals revolve around changing your lifestyle, conquer one or two at a time. This can keep you from feeling overwhelmed and giving up. For example, if you want to lose weight, eat a more nutritious diet, and quit smoking, determine which ones are the most important. List out your priorities and take them one at a time. This limits your frustration and increases your chances of success.

Stay Positive
It’s natural to stumble when working towards a resolution, but the key is not getting frustrated. If an especially busy work week keeps you from getting to the gym as often as you’d like, don’t get discouraged or give up completely. Instead, look at your schedule for the following week and determine where you can best fit in exercise around your work requirements. While it is important to make your goals a priority and fit them into your lifestyle as seamlessly as possible, things can happen that are out of your control. Go with the flow and adjust.

What are some methods you’ve used to create resolutions you have kept in the past? Share your tips in the comments.