Come January, it is typical for us to take a step back, reflect on the previous year, and consider what we’d like to change about our lives over the course of the year ahead. No matter the goal, creating a list of resolutions is a thoughtful way to kick off the new year with intention. Yet, research reflects that a whopping 80 percent of resolutions fail by February. Though the reasons behind this vary, it seems that many of us are more preoccupied with setting lofty goals for ourselves, than we are with working to successfully fulfill them.
Needless to say, if you’re serious about this year’s resolutions, you might need to come up with a new approach to achieve them, aside from simply stating them into existence. So, here are 3 good ways to make actual progress on your goals in 2021, whatever they may be.
Get Rid of Harmful Triggers
Ever notice how sticking to a healthy diet is extra hard when there’s candy, cookies, and other temptations lying around? Even if healthy eating isn’t your resolution, the same mentality applies to a variety of goals. Triggers – as in, those things that encourage you to indulge in your bad habits – are all around us, and if you want to achieve your resolutions, you need to be able to spot and avoid them. For example, if you’re hoping to work out on a more consistent basis, do so first thing in the morning, before temptations like Netflix, a glass of wine, or relaxing after a long day threaten your resolve.
Create a Support Network
When it comes to keeping your resolutions, a support system is necessary – not only to keep you on the straight and narrow when your Chipotle cravings kick in, but also to help keep you accountable to your goals. According to psychologists, people who announce their goals and intentions to their friends or other loved ones have an easier time adhering to them than those who don’t. That’s because voicing our goals creates a layer of accountability that bonds us to our aspirations and encourages others to check in on our progress. Create a support system, and you’ll likely find it easier to achieve success!
Remember That Small Steps Count, Too
It’s easy to get wrapped up in perfection when setting resolutions. For example, you might believe that simply adopting a running habit isn’t enough – you must mark your achievements by running a marathon. Yet, with exercise and many other goals, you'll benefit from “imperfect” progress even when doing less than you'd like to do. Remember, any activity is always better than none, and with plenty of small steps along the way, you’ll achieve your goals – even if it feels as though these small steps will get you nowhere in the present moment.
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