How to Stick to Your New Year’s Resolutions

While it is expected for people to make a resolution to improve themselves in some way throughout the course of the next year, be it losing weight, becoming more aware of the country’s political health or building up muscle tone, the sad fact is that 80 percent of these New Year’s resolutions fail by the time February rolls around. That’s right, only one in five people will stick to their resolution. The reasons for why so many of these attempts fail will be addressed in the tips below. We intend to highlight how to keep to your resolution while also showcasing how others lose motivation.

Words Have Power.

One of the simplest ways to stick to your resolution is to think of them as something else. In short, don’t call it a resolution but something like a hobby, a new passion, a life goal, etc. Some people lose motivation simply because the term “resolution” has baggage connected to it.

Don’t Go Solo.

While peer pressure can certainly be used toward encouraging negative behaviors, it can also be applied toward making those personal improvements you vowed to make as the calendar changed over to January. Just by getting a friend to go in with you on the same resolution you not only increase your willingness to stick to your resolution, you also increase your friend’s because neither one of you will want to be seen as weak by the other for bowing out.

Start Out Small.

Another reason why people fail to stick to their resolutions is they set tend to think of spectacle over feasibility. The old adage “Rome wasn’t built in a day” has held true for a reason, it was a spectacle that took continual development to achieve. If your resolution is to slim up, try something reasonable like 5 pounds a month. If becoming a regular gym attendee worries you, consider purchasing a lightweight compact treadmill; they may not have as many options as a stationary treadmill but they are lighter, making them easier to move around.

Concoct an Organized Plan.

The only resolutions that take one step to accomplish are usually so easy that declaring them as a resolution is nothing more than a token effort. For example, if you want to lose weight, consider the following steps.

1. Set up a goal weight.
2. Subtract your goal weight from your current weight.
3. Divide the difference between your goal and current weights by weeks or months.
4. Strive to meet these weekly or monthly goals.

While the above list is just one example, it illustrates the need to list out each step in the ascent to completing a resolution. While not everyone appreciates making a checklist, our human nature appreciates knowing when we accomplish something. The more steps on the list, the more opportunities for sensing accomplishment.

Do Not Make Excuses.

“Resolution” comes from “resolve.” To be “resolute” is to be admirable and unwavering. Nobody likes someone without conviction and making excuses is one of the quickest way you can fail your resolution.

Author Bio: Paige Jirsa- I work with Top10.Today, a shopping comparison site, where we strive to help consumers find the best quality and priced products.