It’s that time again. The new year is upon us and we look back at all the things we set out to accomplish in the past year and look ahead at what we plan to accomplish in this new year. Unfortunately, often our New Year’s resolutions tend to mimic each other year after year. What is it about that list that makes it so unmanageable and how can you break the cycle to complete your new year resolutions this time?
Tips to Successfully Complete Your New Year Resolutions
Make a Realistic Resolution List
The first step to complete your new year resolutions is to set realistic goals for the year. This will be paramount to your success. By breaking your goals down into small, bite sized pieces you can increase the odds of your success. Instead of trying to lose 100 pounds, shoot for half that. Instead of a full reconstruction of your life, find a few smaller aspects that you can realistically work on. For example, if you would love to pursue a passion for writing, don’t add to the list ‘write an epic novel,’ instead add ‘write an article for a local newspaper.’ Try it out. Start with one of your larger goals and then break it up into smaller, more manageable pieces.
Make a Dream List
After you have finished your realistic resolution list, create a separate list of goals that are much loftier. These are things that you don’t really consider realistically accomplishing in a year, but having a wish or two that you would love to see happen can keep you looking ahead in life. Being aware that you can’t do everything in a year increase the chances that you will complete your new year resolutions.
Don’t Watch the Calendar
If the feel like work, you won’t complete your new year resolutions. So don’t get bogged down in the day to day management of your resolutions. Instead, keep a loose eye on your progress, checking in every 1-2 months to identify your progress. A watched pot doesn’t boil.
Success Can Be Small
Just because you didn’t accomplish everything on your list doesn’t mean that you have failed. Even if you haven’t achieved any of your goals on the list doesn’t mean you aren’t a success. Acknowledging the smaller accomplishments both on and off your resolution list sets you up for greater success. Having a realistic list you can accomplish will allow you to identify those things you have succeeded at throughout the year. Life is an organic, exciting journey that moves and evolves for us.
Hopefully, these tips will help you complete your new year resolutions, or at least some of them!