How to Actually Achieve Your New Year’s Resolutions

Time to make your goals attainable!

by AMANDA ROSENTHAL ★ JANUARY 15, 2021

When the new year swings around most people talk about their New Year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, for many of us they probably end right about there. The idea of making New Year’s resolutions is great, but the nonchalant way we often go about them is what sets us up for failure! It’s time to break the habit of unsuccessful New Year’s resolutions, and time to do it the right way. When next year rolls around, you won’t be making the same resolutions all over again! 

Making Your Goals

This step might seem simple, but it’s actually the first step that’s easiest to mess up. When establishing your goals, you need to be as specific and realistic as possible. Claiming you want to be happier or healthier is good, but it is overly broad. Instead, you need to pick specifics to ensure that your goals are attainable. For example, saying something like, “I will FaceTime my friends from home once a week” is better than claiming, “I will stay connected with loved ones.” Your goals need to be practical and something that you can be held accountable for. 

Documenting Your Goals

Simply saying your goal out loud will not be enough. You need to document your goals to be sure that you are more obligated to achieve them. You can either write them out on your notes app on your phone or even in a journal or planner. Writing them down serves as proof that you are intending to accomplish these goals, therefore making you more inclined to achieve them this year. 

Measure Your Goals

Measuring your goals is probably the most important stage in attaining your New Year’s resolutions. You could use a habit tracking app or check off a box in your planner each week when you complete your goal. There are numerous ways to do this, but the main thing to remember is that this is a way to track your progress. By the end of the year, you’ll be able to see which areas you excelled in, as well as where you may have fallen short.

Credit: Pinterest

Check-Ins

No one is perfect, and sometimes people end up off track. That’s totally normal! That’s why it’s important to have some form of a check-in. Whether it’s having a friend or family member checking in to see your progress on your resolutions or setting a reminder on your phone a few months in advance to see how you are doing, these small acts can help you maintain your focus. You could even write a note in your planner a few months ahead reminding you to do something like, “Try a new food once a month.” Whatever it may be, these check-ins will help keep you on track throughout the year, reminding you what your intentions are.

Making New Year’s resolutions can be a great idea if you remember to be specific, practical, and hold yourself accountable. Achieving your goals doesn’t happen overnight, but if you show yourself that you are dedicated, you’ll be very surprised with what you’ve accomplished by the end of the year.

Cover photo credit: Pinterest