How To Write and Achieve Your New Year's Resolutions (Is that even possible??)
Welcome, 2021!! Well, it’s been a few weeks since January 1st…a few weeks since we excitedly wished farewell to 2020, hurried to think of last minute new year’s resolutions, and vowed that this would be the year when we finally achieve those goals for once in our life.
So, how’s it going?? Have you stuck to your goals? Are you still just as focused and determined to fulfill them and make this your best year yet? If you are, that’s great!!! Keep on going and never lose sight of your goals throughout the entire year! However, for the rest of us, did you possibly forget about them, or even worse, fail to keep your resolutions already?
According to the New York Post, a study conducted by the University of Scranton showed that merely 8% of all people actually achieve their new year’s resolutions…while approximately 80% completely fail to do so.
It’s quite shocking, almost disappointing even, to think that such a large portion of people don’t end up following through on their goals for the year. I’ve been one of this 80% for many years, and I have definitely experienced the countless times I’ve entered a new year with high hopes, determination (or so I thought), and a conviction that this year, this year, would finally be the year I actually achieve all my goals and change the course of life forever!! BUT…an hour passes, then a day, and 11 months later, I’m sitting at my desk in disbelief, staring at the document I had written all my new year’s resolutions on, and wondering how time passed by so quickly, fast enough to keep me from the fulfillment of those goals.
THANKFULLY…I learned a few things last year, and by implementing them, I finally got to see change and exponential growth throughout the year, which I had desired to see for so long. I want to share these tips with you because even though we’re about a month into 2021, there’s no such thing as starting too late when you’re trying to achieve your goals. NOW is the best time to put that first foot forward because there’s no better time than this present moment. Take that first step NOW because if you keep waiting for that “perfect” day, or the ideal conditions, you’ll never start. CHEERS to the start of a NEW beginning :))
- Think of a GOOD One
Hmm….a new year’s resolution…should be easy to think of, right?
Many people assume that new year’s resolutions are easy to think of. The process of finding one seems to take barely any effort, time, or even thought. There are tons of things to work on…just pick one and you’ll be good is what everyone thinks. However, there’s so much more that goes into thinking and choosing a good new year’s resolution. It’s less about what you’re working on than it is about why. It’s not enough to just think of any random thing. Instead, you need to reflect on the highlights of your previous year. Then, contrast those experiences with your less enjoyable moments. What caused the difference? What could you have done to make that “bad” moment turn into a “good” moment? Trust me, when you know exactly WHY you’re chasing after a goal, it’ll be a lot easier to stay motivated throughout the ENTIRE year.
I would suggest starting off with a list of maybe 5-10 goals that automatically come to mind. Then, go through each one, reflect on exactly how accomplishing this goal will improve the quality of your life. FEEL the emotions you would feel if you fulfilled the resolution, and really understand WHY you’re desperate to do so.
Resolution Requirements (S.M.A.R.T Goal Format):
- Specific: Be as SPECIFIC as possible. Make sure you list PRACTICAL ways you can implement this goal…”working out” isn’t enough. You need to specify what kind of exercises (i.e. abs).
- Measurable: If it’s a fitness goal, name a specific number. If it’s a school goal, name a specific achievement or grade you want to earn. You want to make sure you’re able to immediately know whether or not you achieved your goal by the end of the year. Don’t make it vague or general! Make sure there are no open or loose ends! Be specific with whatever you’re measuring.
- Attainable: It’s easy to overestimate what you can do in a year. Bill Gates once said, “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” It’s good to make sure you’re pushing and challenging yourself, but there’s a fine line between doing so and creating a goal that’s impossible to achieve. If you keep overestimating what you can do, you’ll get burnt out easily and end up not having the motivation to achieve future goals.
- Relevant: If you’re a full-time student, your goal shouldn’t be to land a full-time job at your dream company. Now obviously, this is an exaggeration, but it’s important to make sure your goals match the season of life that you’re in.
- Time-Based: The final part of writing a goal is to create a deadline. If your goal is open-ended you’ll never achieve it because you keep postponing it. By establishing a set date, you’ll feel an urgency to accomplish your resolution by that day.
2. Write it down + Read it Everyday
After going through the process described above and choosing a resolution that fits all the requirements, write your goal down BIG on a piece of paper and put it in a place where you can see it FREQUENTLY, preferably every hour of your day, or at least everyday. Being reminded of your goals + implementation tactics/strategies will immediately solve the problem of forgetting what we write so quickly.
3. Accountability
Now you’re probably thinking, Okay, these are all great tips, and I’ve found a really good new year’s resolution that is close to my heart, but…how am I actually going to accomplish it?? Well, this next tip is just for you, and it might be the most important yet so far! Finding + staying accountable to others around you, whether it’s your friends or family, is one of the most significant things that will help you achieve resolutions! Try to find someone you respect/admire deeply, and make it a priority to talk with them at least once a month to catch up on how you’ve been targeting your goals. This may sound silly, but the more you respect that person, the more determined you’ll be to “not let them down” and prove your integrity and perseverance! 😉
4. Perspective
Last, but DEFINITELY not the least, you need to reflect on your perspective (I know, sounds weird right?). Start off the year viewing these goals NOT as mere resolutions or ideas, but as ACTUAL achievements. Think of them not as things that you may or may not actually do, but goals that you’ve ALREADY accomplished! Start with the END in mind. Doing so will PROPEL you forward and convince even YOU that this year won’t be like any other year…it will be the BEST year yet! 😀
Written By ~ Joni
SHARE THIS:
