Tip's on making and keeping a New Year's resolution

January 4, 2021 

More than half of all resolutions fail. Majority of these resolutions fail because they are not the right ones, or they are not realistic. Your goals should be SMART.

  • S – Specific - your resolution should be absolutely clear. A concrete goal is “I want to lose weight.” Your goal would be: How much weight you want to lose and at what time interval?
  • M – Measurable - this may seem obvious if your goal is a fitness or weight loss related one, but it’s also important if you’re trying to cut back on something. Logging progress into a journal or making notes on your phone or in an app designed to help you track behaviors can reinforce the progress, no matter what your resolution may be.
  • A – Achievable - trying to take too big a step too fast can leave you frustrated or affect other areas of your life to the point that your resolution takes over your life.
  • R – Relevant - Is this a goal that really matters to you? Are you making it for the right reasons? If it doesn’t mean something to you then it usually won’t last long.
  • T – Time-bound - the timeline toward reaching your goal should also be realistic. This means giving yourself enough time to do it with lots of smaller intermediate goals set up along the way.

Here are some other tips on how to keep your resolution.

  • Plan ahead – Don’t just wake up on New Years and say “This is my resolution”
  • Outline your plan – set your overall goal timeline with small achievements along the way.
  • Talk about it – Friends and family can offer motivation and support so be open with your plan and goals
  • Track your progress - Keep track of your successes. This will help you feel like you’re accomplishing you goal and reward yourself.

Don’t try to take on too much. Focus on 1 goal at a time. If you feel overwhelmed or unable to meet your goals on your own, consider seeking professional help. They are there to help strengthen you to be able to manage stress caused by your resolution, as well as help you change unhealthy behaviors and address emotional issues.