Are you good at hitting your New Year’s resolutions? How many of you have made a New Year’s resolution and failed to reach your goal? Count me in. I’ve failed to begin, given up, and fallen short more than once. Here are 10 keys to hitting your New Year’s resolutions that might help you hit your goals.
10 Keys to Hitting Your New Year’s Resolutions
A couple of years ago, a friend resolved to run one mile per day and do it outdoors come rain or shine. I had the privilege to run with her on a few cold and snowy days. She made her resolution.
I asked her how she did it, and one of the things she said was the more she did it, the easier it became. So, the first key to reaching your resolution is to get started and then keep going.
Set a realistic goal
My friend, the runner, has run marathons. She often ran more than the one mile per day she resolved to run. However, had her daily goal been five miles, there would’ve been days where time, weather, and her physical condition might have prevented her from reaching her goal.
Stick to one
Don’t attempt too many resolutions. Had my friend committed to one mile per day, lose 10 pounds, and a diet of nuts and berries it would’ve added unneeded layers of difficulty. I don’t know if she lost weight (she didn’t need to), but she certainly was in excellent physical condition at the end of the year.
Go public
Are you serious about your resolution? If so, go public. Tell folks what you plan to do, how you plan to it and keep them updated on your progress.
Get a buddy
Seek out friends who are willing and ready to hold you accountable to your resolutions, someone who will help motivate you to keep going. One way to accomplish this is to reciprocate and hold your buddy responsible for their resolution.
Break it down
Would a goal of 365 miles for the year have been more difficult for my friend than one mile per day? Maybe, but breaking it into highly doable daily chunks was much easier to swallow.
Recognize and reward yourself
All of us need recognition. For some of us, there’s no greater motivation. When you reach a milestone, reward yourself.
Fall into a routine
This goes back to my friend explaining the longer she did it, the easier it became. The more you do it, the more comfortable you are, and it’s a lot harder to quit when you’re 125 days into it. Keep on keepin’ on.
Make time for it
If you want to reach your resolution, schedule it. Put it on your calendar, add it to your daily to-do list, and send yourself an alert.
Look toward the end of the tunnel
Look ahead and envision what success looks like. Understanding what you can gain and how you’ll feel about yourself when you achieve your goal are constant sources of inspiration.
Know you’ll face discouragement
Your inner voice will tell you you’re not worthy. Your body will revolt, and friends will tell you it’s okay to quit—you tried. Don’t listen to them. Tell them all thank you, but no. I got this!
Are you resolved?
Are you ready to go public with a resolution? Is it realistic? Do you have a buddy? Will it be part of your daily routine? If you’re ready to go public with your resolution, leave it in comments if you like. Good luck and happy New Year!
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