4 Tips to Make Your New Year Resolutions Stick

Are you worried your resolutions won’t make it past January? Here are a few tips you can try:

1. Write them where you can see them

When you write down your resolutions, you’re more likely to follow through. As tempting as it may be to use your phone’s memo pad, pen and paper are still the winning duo for this. So get out your sturdy notepad ‎and write those resolutions out clearly. I will read more this year. This year, I will slay. I will no longer discount myself or give my love away cheaply‎. This year, I will take better care of my aging parents. This year, I will lose weight.

2. Break them into goals you can act on

The next step is to put your resolutions in goal form. Resolutions tend to be vague. What steps are you going to take to actually make them reality? Will you find a reading partner or join a book club so that you can read more? Will you seek a good side hustle to enable you earn more and support your aging parents? Will you locate new shops, a new hair salon, or a professional stylist so that you can slay all year? What steps will you take to lose weight? Which exercises will you choose? On what days and at what time will you exercise? Vague plans are easier to ditch than specific ones. Plan, plan, plan ahead. Outline what steps exactly you need to take to give your resolutions life.

3. Find others going your way.

You need people, or at least one person, who desires similar results as you or is headed in the same direction. The importance of this cannot be overemphasized. You’re more likely to succeed when you work at something with others than when you try to go it alone. Who else on your radar is seriously trying to make more (legitimate!) money? Who loves books? Who has been slaying or wants to slay? Who is committed to loving herself and avoiding negativity and unhealthy relationships? This person can help you not only to stay accountable but also to remain fired up regarding your goal. As you journey together, you help each other stay focused. The positive energy, pep talks, and all-around support are invaluable!

4. Anticipate your weak spots and have a backup plan

‎For instance, if you’re trying to break a bad habit, understand that the habit was filling a void. As such, there can be no vacuum. You’ll need to identify the problem you were subconsciously or unconsciously trying to solve and replace the habit with something that actually helps. Then write down your Plan B. Who will you call when you’re feeling discouraged, or when you’re sorely tempted? If/when you do fail, how will you get back up? It’s best to make these decisions and arrangements now before it happens. If you’ll be calling a friend or mentor, let them know now. If you’re like me, you can record a voice note now that will refocus and ginger you up whenever things are low. File it away under “Strength for the Coming Days.” Keeping resolutions is not easy. If it were, people wouldn’t fail at it so much. It takes being committed and choosing to grow into an above average person. Go for it!

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This article was first published on 30th December 2017 and updated on January 4th, 2018 at 9:19 am

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