The first of the year is always such a motivating time, right? It’s a chance to start over with goals you haven’t met yet and get inspired to reach new ones. This New Year is even more special – It’s the start of a whole new decade! Now, coming up with resolutions is the easy part, but following through can be tough. That’s probably why 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February (sad!). Want to be part of the 20%? We thought so. Read on for a few of our favorite tips on how to put your New Year’s resolutions into action!
(Photo by Angelica Marie Photography)
Tip #1: Set reasonable resolutions.
We’re all about big goals, but failing to keep track of the stepping stones in between can be a major downfall of many New Year’s resolutions. Massive resolutions can appear overwhelming, which makes it more difficult to get started and can make you more likely to throw in the towel early. For example, if you want to try to save $5,000, split that resolution into smaller goals that you can track and get excited about your progress. Make your goal to save $100 each week, and you’ll be more likely to stick with it and reach that goal before the end of 2020.
Tip #2: Set timelines.
This one’s important! If you want to lose 10 pounds, give yourself a (reasonable! see above) timeline to make it happen. Knowing you have a deadline can keep you accountable and prevent you from slipping off the track. Write down your ideal timeline, and check in with yourself at regular intervals until you reach your goal. The act of physically writing things down on a calendar can help you visualize what success can look like!
Tip #3: Be gentle with yourself.
One of the most common mistakes when putting New Year’s resolutions into action is being too hard on yourself when you miss a milestone or stray from your timeline. Tell us if this has ever happened to you: You want to exercise more. You miss a gym class. You skip the rest of the week because what’s the point? Sounds like all of us sometimes, right!? Be gentle with yourself – That itself is an important part of self-care. Just because you spend too much money at the mall one afternoon or have a donut with breakfast doesn’t mean that your goals are shot. You probably needed that sweater, and we all need a donut every once in a while. Shake it off, refer back to your mini milestone goals, and get back on track!
We hope this helps you put your 2020 New Year’s resolutions into action! Let us know on Instagram what you’re committing to, and we’ll be there to encourage you along the way!