With the end of the previous year, we like to think of a New Year as a new chapter and beginning in which we can establish some goals that we want to work on to improve ourselves. Some people call them “resolutions” which by definition means to make a formal statement or promise to oneself.
If you truly have some things that you would like to improve or change about yourself in the New Year, it would be better to refer to these things as “goals” rather than resolutions. Goals are measurable, require planning, and are not necessarily time-limited. To have a goal is to commit yourself.
If you have noticed in the past, that you cannot stay consistent and fully commit to changes, here are five tips to help get you started:
1. Write Down Your Goals.
It’s one thing to think and say your goals out loud and it’s another to write them down. Writing down your goals can have a powerful feeling and effect, and it is also a form of manifestation. You can think more about what these goals mean and the steps you need to take to achieve them. Having goals written down is also a good way to keep yourself on track as you can always refer back to them later on.
2. Don’t Overcommit
Changes take time and often people try to do too much too soon. For example, If you are someone who has a fitness goal and you want to get in shape, trying to work out five days a week when you're used to working out sporadically could be an over-commitment. Overcommitting is setting an unrealistic expectation for yourself, which in turn sets you up for failure. It's okay to ease into a routine. If you weren’t consistent, focus on consistently working out once every week, and then increase from there.
3. Be More Disciplined
Another reason people often don’t stick to their goals is a lack of discipline. If you are serious about change, understand you will experience some discomfort through the process. At first, you will start with a lot of motivation but that feeling will dissipate over time. This is why discipline is important. Your mind has a way of talking you out of something when things feel hard, and you will have to fight that mentality. It’s helpful to think of why you started in the first place, and if the goal seems far then set milestones so you can see your progress and stay motivated.
4. Be Honest With Yourself
As stated before, it’s important to make sure that your expectations are realistic. In other words “know thy self”. A commitment to changes does require some inner dialoguing and planning so you can set realistic and achievable goals. Here are some questions for you to think about:
Are you someone who follows through with things?
Do you have the time, space, and energy to fully commit to making these changes?
Are there habits, things, or people in your life that will present as obstacles to these goals?
Are you prepared to make sacrifices?
5. Change The Way You Think
If you are going to commit to making changes, understand it requires you to change your thinking patterns as well. If you are pessimistic, this can get in the way of you following through and achieving your goals. Staying optimistic and acknowledging small wins are essential for staying consistent and creating long-lasting change. One step you can take is changing your language (e.g. instead of saying “I have to do this”, say “I get to do this”). Don’t be so hard on yourself if you fall back into old habits or lose motivation, you can always get back to it. Use positive affirmations and statements to acknowledge your strengths and past accomplishments.
Good luck! And don't give up!
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