It's 2025 and everyone is probably asking you, "What's your New Year's resolution?"
We've all experienced it—setting an ambitious New Year's resolution in January only to lose momentum by February. The initial motivation fades, and the excitement of a fresh start quickly wears off. A "new year, new me" mindset alone just isn't enough to keep us committed to our goals.
Here are some strategies to stick to those resolutions.
Set Specific Goals
The core of this strategy is the difference between a goal and an intention. Intentions are broad, open-ended, and leave room for flexibility.
Goals are concrete, time-limited, and measurable. Here is an example:
Intention: "I am going to exercise more"
Goal: "I am going to go to the gym 3 times a week."
Think of growing an orchid as an analogy. We want it to bloom into a stunning flower—the flower representing the results of our goals. In this analogy, our goals are the stem, but it's the roots—our intentions—that provide the support and nourishment needed for the plant to thrive and flourish.
Set Achievable Goals
An important qualifier is that our goals should be "achievable". We need to be realistic. It may sound harsh, but sometimes the goals we set for ourself can be more aspirational than realistic.
If your goals are on the aspirational side, try dividing them into smaller, manageable tasks. This can actually help make loftier goals more achievable. For example, if your goal is to save $5,000 this year, aim for $416 each month or $96 weekly.
Anticipate Obstacles
There will always be obstacles on the way to completing a goal. Don't assume it will be smooth sailing; what happens you encounter a challenge you haven't mentally prepared for?
There are external obstacles that may not be your fault, but they do need to be taken into account. How will your work schedule impact these goals? Do you have certain obligations that need to be prioritized before your goals? Work around these things.
Then there are the mental obstacles. Do you struggle with motivation? Will existing habits get in the way? Do some preemptive planning for dealing with these obstacles. It is much easier to handle pitfalls that we know are there.
Be Flexible and Kind to Yourself
It's hard to stick to a resolution. Don't feel bad about setbacks or stumbles; they are very likely to happen, regardless of personal discipline. Most of the time, we set resolutions that are ultimately good for us, like exercising or eating healthier.
These are well-intentioned things to strive for. Be kind to yourself and adjust your goals as needed.
Remember, New Year's resolutions are completely optional, and you are not a "failure" for not sticking to them. Figure out what went wrong, dust yourself off, and try again. Happy New Year!
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