New Year’s Resolutions That Last

Is your resolution too hard?

The New Year is a time of reflection; it’s a time to recalibrate, dream, and set goals. The New Year is full of motivation and excitement for what is to come. While our resolutions come with great intention, it can be a struggle to remain consistent as the year progresses. Why does something so positive usually end up making us feel defeated? Does abandoning a resolution mean we are lazy or incapable? More likely, a few adjustments are needed to make resolutions more practical. Check out these hacks for success and connect with Wingate Counseling for a more personalized approach to your yearly vision!

Set realistic goals

Sometimes goal setting can become unrealistic. Have you ever signed up for a month of 5 AM fitness boot camp only to learn that you’re not a morning person and fitness boot camp is scary? We’ve all been there! Instead of making goals complicated, start small. It is always easier to add to your plan later than setting the bar too high. You don’t have to transform your lifestyle for a goal to be successful. It’s the small things done often that add up to long-term results!

Stick goals into existing habits

Find little spots in your daily routine to incorporate your resolution. Brushing your teeth is a great place to tag on your goal since it happens twice a day! For example, if your goal is to practice more gratitude, try putting a sticky note on your bathroom mirror as a reminder. Or, if it’s a guarantee you will have a morning cup of joe, place your journal by the coffee pot to ensure you take some time for morning reflections. We’re more likely to be consistent if the goal can tag onto a habit.

Get support

Another resolution hack is to engage in the community for support. If you have a goal to read more this year, try connecting with friends or a book club to make this happen. Resolutions are done more consistently and are more fun when we engage with others! There are many ways to gain support through online or in-person connections. When others count on us, we are more likely to show up.

Take away

Making resolutions is a fun tradition of the New Year. When our motivation is high, we aim big. In reality, life gets busy, and difficult resolutions don’t last long after March. There are a few hacks to support consistent resolutions. Starting small, tagging goals into existing habits, and engaging in a community keeps us going long into the year. Rather than looking for drastic change through complicated resolutions this year, try making realistic goals that you can stick with! It’s not what we sometimes do but what we do every day that counts! For a personalized approach to goal setting and behavior change, connect with Wingate Counseling for a consultation.