Making New Year’s Resolutions Stick

As we start a New Year many of us are inspired to create resolutions that we hope will change our lives for the better in the coming year.

The start of the year feels like a great time to wipe the slate clean and put in place all those changes that we have been meaning to do.

Be that dry January, finally getting to the gym or eating better, we often start off the year with the best of intentions.

So why do these resolutions often fail to stick for the long term?

Unrealistic Change

The all or nothing approach to New Year’s resolutions can be the reason that they fail. Do we really want to reduce our alcohol intake or are we doing dry January to make ourselves feel better after the excess of Christmas?

Can we really sustain going to the gym every day for the rest of the year even if we do achieve it in January?

Is there a better way?

Setting Goals and Prioritising

A better approach may be to take some time at the start of the new year to really think about your goals for the year ahead.

Where do you want to be in 12 months’ time?

What changes do you want to make to your health, wellbeing, family life or work life and what does that look like?

Start Small

Once you have a clear goal you can start to break that down into small, manageable and achievable steps. The nature of taking it slowly with a long-term goal in view and progressively working towards that goal can lead to real change.

Keep reviewing the goal as the year goes on, is this still the right path for me?

How have I done so far on my way towards it?

Show Up

When starting a new habit showing up is the most important step.

Today I will get outside, even if that is only for two minutes it is better than not doing it. Today I will get on my yoga mat, I may only do 5 minutes but I may do 20 minutes, either way I achieved my goal to show up.

Over time, with the consistency of showing up every day, these changes build into lasting habits.

Reward Yourself

Ensure you plan rewards for the times you do show up.

May be keep a marble jar and every time you work out add a marble, over time you will see how many workouts you have achieved rather than the ones you didn’t do. When the jar is full treat yourself to something lovely.

Accountability

Find someone to be accountable to. Agree with a friend to check in every week with progress, find someone to do it with so you can keep each other on track.

Consider working with a coach who can help you with goal setting, creating a plan and the accountability to achieve real change.

So this year, let’s do January different and make our resolutions stick!