It's the time of the year to make new year resolutions!
Why make new year resolutions?
New year resolutions are goals or intentions that people set for themselves to achieve in the coming year. Making a resolution can also help you focus on what is most important to you and prioritize your time and energy towards achieving your goals. It can also be a way to build self-discipline and develop healthy habits. These resolutions can be related to any aspect of life, such as improving health, learning a new skill, being more assertive at work, reduce spending on discretionary purchases, quitting a bad habit, or building deeper relationships.
People often make new year resolutions as they reflect on the past year and resolve to make positive changes in in the new year. Research has shown that people who make resolutions are more likely to achieve their goals than those who do not. Hence, making a resolution can be a good way to increase your chances of success.
Overall, making new year resolutions can be a positive and meaningful way to start the new year and set yourself up for success. However, it's important to be realistic and not set yourself up for failure by making unrealistic or too many resolutions. It's also important to be kind to yourself and remember that it's okay if you don't achieve all of your goals – the important thing is to try your best and make progress.
Do new year resolutions work?
It's difficult to say definitively whether or not new year resolutions "work," as the success of a resolution depends on the individual and the specific goal they have set for themselves. While many people make new year resolutions, it can be challenging to stick to them. It's important to be realistic and committed when setting goals, and to have a plan in place for achieving them. It can also be helpful to track your progress and seek support from friends, family, or a professional if needed.
That being said, research has shown that people who make resolutions are more likely to achieve their goals than those who do not. One study found that about 40% of people who make new year resolutions are successful in achieving them.
7 tips to making your new year resolution work
1. Set specific and achievable goals
Rather than resolving to "lose weight," set a specific goal such as "lose 10 kg by March." This will give you a clear target to work towards and make it easier to track your progress. It's a good idea to limit the number of new year resolutions too. A good number would be between three to seven.
2. Make a plan
Determine the specific steps you need to take to achieve your goal, taking into account where you are starting. Tiny steps leading towards the final goal helps you to stay motivated. For example, if your goal is to engage in 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise three times a week in six months, and you currently walk 30 minutes once a week, your plan should be a progressive change from the current state to your goal. You may want to start walking 30 minutes three times a week in the first month. Change it up to 30 minutes of brisk walking three times a week in the second month, and so forth, until you achieve the goal at the sixth month.
3. Keep track of your progress
Use a planner or app to track your progress and mark off each step as you complete it. This will help you stay motivated and see how far you've come. Keeping track of your progress give you feedback as to how well you are doing, and this ensures that you are aware when you are off course.
4. Don't be too hard on yourself
If you slip up or miss a day, don't give up on your resolution. We are not trying to be perfectionists here, we are only humans giving our best efforts to achieve our goals. Cut yourself some slack, get back on track and keep going. You will get there!
5. Find a accountability partner
Having someone to share your goals with and check in with can help you stay motivated and on track. It can be a friend, family member or even a professional to help you stay on track. Remember that people need others to achieve success so don't be afraid to reach out!
6. Reward yourself
Celebrate your progress and accomplishments along the way with small rewards to keep yourself motivated. Staying motivated is one of the key to realizing your goals. Even the most motivated person can veer off course, especially in the middle of a marathon. We all need rewards along the way to keep us going!
7. Be patient
Realizing your resolutions may take time, so don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate results. Keep working towards your goals and you will eventually get there. It's the journey and effort that matters.
We hope these tips will help you to realize your new year resolutions or any goals that you set! If you need an extra boost of motivation and skills from our coach/counsellor, feel free to reach out for our help!
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