How to Stick to a New Year's Resolution

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Do you ever find yourself breaking away from it or going down a completely different path? New Year’s resolutions keep us in line but at the same time, we tend to drift away from them. It's been proven that more than half of all resolutions made, fail, so don't feel too bad about yourself if you don’t stick to it. We all have goals and resolutions for ourselves but staying true to them is what gets hard at times so here are 10 ways to help stick to your New Year's resolutions:

1. Be Realistic:

One thing about being able to achieve goals is that they need to be realistic. Goals can certainly be challenging, but remind yourself not to try for something that's too unrealistic. The common way to fall short of your goal is to make your goal unattainable. For example, resolving to never eat a favorite food again because it's problematic could be a bad choice for a New Year's resolution. Strive for a goal that is attainable, such as avoiding that problem food more often.

2. Plan Ahead:

New Year's Eve most likely isn't the best time to start planning for the next year. Waiting until the last minute means that decisions may be based on the mindset for that particular day rather than a more elongated approach. Instead, a New Year's resolution should be planned well before December 31 arrives. If it's already too late to start something by January 1st, just pick another date.

3. Outline Your Plan:

It’s like sewing a dress without a pattern or sketch to follow… it never comes out good, just like making a goal for yourself without having a plan never works. Making changes includes making plans so it is better to have a “blueprint” of your goal to make sure you accomplish it.

4. Make a Pros and Cons List:

It's important to consider all the angles of a resolution. Maybe the time is right, or who knows… maybe it’s not... It may help to see a list of pros and cons on paper to strengthen the motivation. Creating this list can help along with the input of others as well.

5. Talk About It:

Don't keep a resolution a secret. Bring family and friends into the fold, and with their help, goals will be easier to achieve. The people who care will be there to support the resolution to change habits for the better or to improve overall health. The best-case scenario is to find a buddy who shares the same New Year's resolution and to motivate each other. Having other people know what your resolution is will help them hold you accountable as well.

6. Reward Yourself:

Small rewards along the way may help in giving a sense of achieving goals. This doesn't mean that it's OK to eat an entire box of chocolates if the resolution is to eat more healthfully. Instead, celebrate successes with something enjoyable that does not mess with the resolution. An example of a reward could possibly be going to a movie with a friend.

7. Track Your Progress:

Keeping track of progress can be a big help on the journey. Make note of each small success made toward reaching the larger goal. Revisiting these can help boost your motivation towards the resolution as well. Short-term goals are easier to keep, and small accomplishments will help with motivation. For example, instead of focusing on losing 30 pounds, focus on losing that first five.

8. Don't Beat Yourself Up:

Having a good attitude all the time isn't always possible but working toward being less self-critical can help. Obsessing over the occasional slip-up won't help in the pursuit of progress. Do the best that's possible each day, and take each day one at a time. When there is a backslide, don't let it knock you down… get back up onto your feet and keep moving forward with the plan.

9. Stick to It:

Sticking to a plan is going to be the hardest part of keeping a resolution. Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity, such as exercising, to become a habit, and 6 months for it to become part of your personality. New healthful habits will become second nature in no time. As cheesy as it sounds, just remember to never give up because, at the end of your journey, it will feel so good knowing that you accomplished something that was made to better yourself.

10. Keep Trying:

Not every shot is going to hit the bullseye. What matters is to keep trying. If a resolution has totally run out of fuel by mid-February, don't dwell on it. Start over again! There's no reason a "New Year's resolution" can't be made at any time of year.