As we approach 2019, its time to start planning our New Year’s Resolution and how to execute the resolution.
Picking a resolution is easy for many people (I.E. losing weight, eating better, etc.) but those aren’t for everyone.
After you pick a goal/resolution you feel is easy to follow but still challenges you to do more than what you are currently doing, then you have to plan how you can successfully execute it.
Your goal may be complex, such as losing weight, but small steps to work up to a larger goal can help you achieve it.
Many people focus on executing every aspect of their resolution, but you can get warn out too soon and give up easier.
If you want to lose weight, going to the gym for hours every day or only eating green-colored foods can exhaust you and make you unhappy.
This unhappiness will lead to wanting to stop pursuing your goal, versus taking small steps and working into a more extreme.
You could go for a walk for 30 minutes and eat your vegetables first versus overdoing it, and over time workout longer and eat better.
Picking Your Resolution
Your first need to decide on what to make your resolution, are you going to focus on going for more walks, or maybe eat out less?
Your resolution should be something that is beneficial to you and is something you can achieve over the next year.
The goal is to have a resolution that can be executed one small decision at a time, by replacing behaviors one at a time.
I.E. by eating vegetables first versus french fries or going for a short walk to a nearby destination instead of driving there.
Picking a resolution should be something achievable, not something that you will dread or stress over.
A resolution should be easy, like walking 3 days a week instead of every day or eating your vegetables before anything else at dinner.
Focusing on One Decision at a Time
Picking your resolution should allow this step to be easy, as your resolution should be something that can be done in “steps”.
It should be as easy as making small choices for the better, such as skipping desert for fresh fruits, or walking to a destination instead of driving.
The choices you make should be simple and align with your goal, allowing you to make small choices every day instead of making large decisions that can alter your life more than you want it to.
An issue many have with New Year’s Resolutions is the amount of change they experience so quickly, such as working out every day after not having exercised in a while.
By doing smaller things, such as working out on even days (I.E. 22nd, 24th, 26th) during the work week (M-F) you will work out 2-3 days a week versus overdoing yourself all week and becoming exhausted.
If you workout every day you will get tired and can risk quitting before you even really start.
Working into exercise, or your New Year’s Resolution can help you succeed for more than just the first month of the New Year.
There is no need to get overwhelmed by your resolution, but to feel accomplished when you have made a choice that aligns with your resolution.
Get a Group Together
Resolutions can be hard to follow if you have no one else around you, supporting you and dealing with the same thing.
It is important to find someone who has a similar goal, so you two can discuss your accomplishments and help each other stick to the resolution.
Find someone in a class you take, or a group you are in to help support you and encourage you to not give up.
Even friends and family can be a great support and can help you accomplish your goals and your New Year’s Resolution.
The key is to have someone in your life with a similar (or the same) resolution as you and push each other to stick to the goals and work hard to make changes in your life for the better.
Don’t get Discouraged
This can be hard to read if you are a perfectionist, but sticking to your New Year’s Resolution isn’t going to be easy, and you may mess up here or there.
The goal is to not let it discourage you from continuing to achieve your resolution.
If you don’t walk one day when you said you would, or you ate a cookie or two before dinner, it shouldn’t mean you give up.
One hiccup here or there will not ruin your goal, as one day is small in comparison to 365 days in the year.
It is important to focus on the positives and recognize you can grow from your mistakes instead of letting it discourage you from continuing to achieve your resolution.
When in Doubt, ask for Help
It can be difficult to stick to a New Year’s Resolution, but with the help of friends and family it can be easier to achieve your goals.
If you don’t know anyone sticking to the same resolution as you, look to others for support.
Ask if they will help keep you accountable and let you vent if you become stressed, as it can help you get support you need to stick to your resolution.
If you are struggling to stick to your goals, get help from your doctors, trainers, or psychologists who can help you stick to your resolution and even give you tips and tricks you may not have known about.
Conclusion
It can seem impossible to stick to your resolution when it is a large goal to achieve, but don’t let it deter you from making improvements in the new year.
Baby steps and small choices every day can help you achieve your goal without having to change every aspect of your life.
Seek a group of others (friends, family, coworkers) who have similar goals and support one and other, this can make it easier on you to stick to your resolution.
Remember that mistakes happen, it is important to not let it ruin your mood or how far you have come.
Ask those around you for help and support if you need it, some resolutions can be difficult and may need more support than others.