Get a Head Start on your New Year's Resolution

It’s been a year like no other...we feel we speak for everyone when we say: Let’s ring in the new year! Out with the old and IN with the new. This is a time of year when people take the opportunity to hit the reset button. But this year, that reset button is more needed than ever!

Start Early

Studies have shown somewhere between 50-60% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, but only around 8% of them see them through. So start early to give yourself a better chance at seeing them through. Take the little head start you have on the new year and use it to plan. Meditate, take a walk, have some heart to hearts with yourself or a close person in your life. Get to the root of what you want to work towards and set your goals. Then come up with a plan that allows you to achieve your goals. Once the new year starts, you’ll be able to hit the ground running.

Break it Down

Looking to be more active and work out more? Start by taking small steps, like finding a workout buddy, signing up for a fitness class pass or subscribing to some fitness youtube videos. Getting yourself excited and motivated can start with something small, like creating some upbeat playlists or shopping for cute activewear. After all, if you just bought yourself some super cute printed leggings and a matching sports bra with an animal print, a floral print or a glitter print, chances are you’ll be much more motivated and excited to get moving than if you didn’t!

Looking to save more money? Your small steps could be as simple as cutting down on 2 take-out or restaurant meals a month. If you’re big on delivery, try going to pick up the food. Save yourself that delivery fee and tip for starters and work from there. You can also download personal finance apps like Mint or Quickbooks for example, although there are many others.

No matter how big your goal is, you can achieve it if you break it down into smaller steps. Lay out a plan and start small. Instead of trying to attack it cold turkey, and risking reverting back into your old ways, try working your way up. It takes somewhere between 21 - 90 days to create a new habit, depending on which study or research you refer to. Before you know it, you will have established a new habit that is sustainable and you will be well on your way to achieving those long-term goals.

Create a Goal-Supportive Environment

Make your new goals a whole lifestyle. Start sharing with your close friends who are supportive of what your goals are. Ask them to keep you accountable. Many times, you might just inspire them to jump in with you and take on your journey together! But even if they don’t, just having conversations, following up with them periodically can motivate you to stick with it.

Other ways to create your goal-supportive environment include listening to podcasts or watching Youtube videos that motivate and educate. Read books on the subjects you are pursuing. Journal about your journey and how you feel so you can keep track of your progress. This will allow you to also identify how your mind tends to react to the challenges that come with pursuing a goal. Hindsight is 20/20 and being able to assess your own thoughts can really help you move forward in a more positive manner.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to reward yourself! Set some benchmarks and milestones. Maybe your goal is to read more books. If you set a number to 3 books a month and you hit your mark by month one, celebrate by doing something you love doing that is out of the ordinary.

Make this new year the year you make real progress towards the things you want most! Keep yourself grounded, keep it realistic and treat yourself well. Remember, a dream without a plan is just a wish; but a dream with a plan is called GOALS! And if you take it step by step, you will soon be able to call them ACHIEVEMENTS!