New Year's Resolutions

We are 3 weeks into the New Year! How are your New Year's Resolutions holding up?! With all the new promises, aspiring goals, and commitments, it is the right time to reflect back on your resolutions and how you plan to keep them going year round, and not just for the month of January. Some individuals don't like New Year's Resolutions because they are just wishes and dreams with no target date or specific actions you should take to achieve them. Truth be told, 45% of Americans say they usually make New Year's Resolutions, but only 8% are actually successful in achieving their goals. Despite New Year's resolutions being a huge part of our culture, we are notoriously bad at sticking with them. But we don't need that kind of negativity, this early in the new year!

This post is all about preparing you for a successful year ahead and how exactly to hold yourself accountable for your resolutions. I will also briefly touch on my own New Year's Resolutions because I, too, am in the process of holding myself accountable to my own and maybe you will find one or two you like from my list and place them on your own, should they fit your lifestyle and preference!

How To Make Your New Years Resolutions Stick:

1. Make a plan - So you know what you want to accomplish but be sure to know the when, where, and why of this vision which will help you create a plan of action to achieve said goal.

2. Stay positive - Making changes in your life is always difficult and it is even more difficult if you have a negative mindset. Try not to think about how tired you will be after the gym session, and instead think of how it will help and benefit your life in the long run.

3. Be realistic - Be honest with yourself and make sure that the goals you set are achievable, because if not, you may lose your motivation along the way.

4. Start with small goals - Small steps seem small until you look back and see how far you have come. Start slow and small and be consistent. This will get your body and mind used to said goal and you will build from there.

5. Track your progress - Once a week or every other week make a check in with yourself and your goals to see how far you have come and also note how far you still have yet to go to attain your goal. You will see your progress begin to add up.

6. Make time - Your goals won't work unless you do. Make sure to allow yourself so much time a day/week for your goal. If your goal is to lose weight well make sure to allot 30 minutes a day each day of the week for this goal. Squeeze your goals into your schedule.

My New Years Resolutions:

1. Run a 13.1 Mile Half Marathon

2. Travel to 10 states I have not been to

3. Call my grandparents every other day

4. Read the Bible

5. Write & publish my first book

6. Pay it forward by buying giftcards to popular places & giving them out to people who could use it

7. Go to a Tampa Bay Bucs game

8. Save for a house

9. Buy a new car

Like any goal, New Year’s resolutions are easier to stick with if you choose some that are realistic, can be tracked, and are meaningful to you. Unfortunately, most of us see the New Year as an opportunity to change our character. For example, how many times have you heard "New Year, new me"? But these kinds of New Year’s resolutions are simply ticking time bombs. A quick fix to this is by simply picking the right resolutions, which sets you up for success from the start. Personal growth is so important. Especially now when so much of the world feels chaotic and out of control, there’s no better time to take charge of your habits and goals. So let's turn our New Year’s Resolutions into habits for life!

xoxo, Tess