Keep Goals and Resolutions
Around New Year's, many people try to set goals and resolutions for themselves for the new year. It's great to set goals, but sometimes it's hard to keep them or go about achieving them.Figure out exactly what you want
If you make a blanket-statement type of resolution like, "I will exercise more" you probably won't get very far with it. The most successful resolutions are specific. However, if you want to have a general resolution so you can encompass everything you want to do, be sure to make a list of specific goals that will help you reach that resolution (resolutions are usually bigger than goals, and goals can be very small things).
Let's pretend your resolution is to eat healthier. It's ok that it's general, because if it were more specific it might not include everything you want to do. But for this, you'd have to make specific goals to keep yourself on track. Here are some goals that would help this resolution: drink more water, eat less processed foods, cut out soda, and eat more fruit and vegetables. That makes it easier to see what you have to do to reach your resolution. However, the more specific you are, the easier it is to reach your goals. If we make those goals even more refined, it's clear what you have to do: drink at least 3 glasses of water a day, don't eat highly processed foods and only eat somewhat processed foods once a week, stop drinking soda, and eat at least three servings of each fruit and vegetables a day. Now you're ready to tackle that resolution with a clear plan in mind (or it helps more to write it down ;) )! That one is only an example, but making specific stepping stone goals will help with any resolution.
Stay motivated
A lot of exercise resolutions die after a month or so because people lose motivation. If you tell yourself you have to exercise every day, it probably seems daunting when you think that you'll be exercising every day for the rest of your life. If you set smaller goals, like exercising every day for a week then giving yourself a break, then a month, and so on, you'll eventually be able to reach your ultimate resolution, and it won't freak you out. You'll just naturally be in the habit of exercising daily.
Find something that motivates you to reach your goal. For an exercising resolution, why do you want to exercise? Is it because of body weight or appearance? You could get pictures of someone who exercises and looks great, then tape it somewhere you'll see it everyday. Or if you're trying to have a better website, you could print out a picture of a website you love that motivates you to make yours better (no, don't copy them, just use the picture for inspiration to improve your site). If you want to be a better person, make a list of all the words you'd want people to describe you as.
It takes about a month to make or break a habit, so stick with whatever it is and keep your source of motivation close at hand!
Make sure you're doing something you want
If you're just trying to achieve something for someone else's benefit, you're either going to be unhappy the whole time or not even finish it. If you think you should cut out a bad habit because other people think it's bad or gross or something, it probably won't work. You have to want your goals. Even if you have other people telling you what you should do, if you want to be successful, you have to want it too. If there's a resolution you know would benefit other people, but you somewhat want it too, find a way to get yourself more motivated to change. For example, say you want to stop biting your nails. You know other people probably find it kind of icky, but it's easier to stick to something if you're being positive and not trying to stop something because you feel pressured into it. Maybe something that would motivate you is that if you stop biting your nails for a week, you'll get a manicure. Then your reward will make you not want to bite your nails because you spent your own money on it (ok, a little negative reinforcement sometimes works too ;) ).
I hope these tips help you reach any goal or resolution you're trying to achieve! You can do it! =D
