If you haven’t been having any luck with keeping your New Year’s resolutions in the past, cheer up! Here are some tips to sticking with your future decisions.
Tip #1: Be Specific
When creating your resolution, it’s important to remember that having a general statement “I’m going to learn how to drive!” is less effective than a detailed one “I’m going to get my license by the end of this year.” Knowing exactly what you plan to do is helpful when setting guidelines for the coming year.
Being specific can also include making a plan. Start by writing down a weekly or monthly schedule of all the steps that you intend to take on a piece of paper or an online document.
Make sure to organize around your school and extracurricular activities so that you won’t be overlapping your time. The plan is there to help you keep track of your achievements and avoid potential setbacks along the way.
Tip #2: Start Small
Not every resolution has to be big in order to match the weight of a New Year’s celebration. In fact, a promise such as, “Jog around the track twice a week” is much easier to keep than “Getting a sick pack,” because every week, you can feel a sense of accomplishment instead of waiting for a prolonged period.
If your goal is initially small, it will become easier to work toward because it seems more reasonable to accomplish. And if you’re worrying about completing your resolution before the year is up, remember that you can always modify it.
Tip #3: Partner Up
Having someone participate with you as you begin your New Year’s resolution helps keep yourself on track. By having the responsibility of another person depending on you, you have motivation to get up and work toward your goal.
If you don’t want to have another person work with you, an alternative opportunity is to have someone check up on your progress. They can help motivate you in another way by encouraging you throughout the year. Just remember to make sure that they aren’t distracting you from your original purpose.
Tip #4: Forgive Yourself
If you happen to fall back into your old habits, don’t think that it’s impossible to correct your mistakes. Friends, family, or school counselors can aid you if you need encouragement or someone to talk to.
Just remember that slipping up is part of the process, so you should pick up where you left off. Good luck!