On January 1, so many of us kick off the year feeling full of energy, determination and motivation. Maybe you decided to join a gym, start meditating, throw out that bag of chips in your pantry, vow to stop smoking or even sign up for yoga classes. But now as the month moves along and reality sets in, millions of us will fail to achieve our New Year’s resolution goals.
You are not alone. In fact, over 80% of people who make New Year’s resolutions fail to achieve them. When we strive to reach unrealistic goals, we ultimately set ourselves up for failure. This sense of failure can have a negative impact on our overall mental and physical health because most New Year’s goals focus on wellness.
If you feel your New Year’s resolution slipping away, here are five tips to help you stick to your goals and maintain your health and well-being year-round.
Five Tips to Stick to Your New Year’s Resolution
1) Set realistic expectations.
Do not be afraid to dream big! But at the same time, it’s important to make sure your goals are realistic and attainable. Setting realistic expectations will significantly improve the likelihood of experiencing long-lasting success.
2) Break down your big goal into mini steps.
Breaking down your big goal into mini steps makes each step seem less intimidating and more achievable. With every small accomplishment you will gain the confidence needed to tackle the bigger picture.
3) Surround yourself with a support network.
Don’t try to do it all alone! Surround yourself with people who care such as friends, family, mentors and co-workers. Communicate to them about your goals, accomplishments and challenges.
4) Don’t let small setbacks discourage you.
Treat each small setback as a learning experience. Think about what caused the setback and how to avoid it in the future. Most importantly, don’t give up!
5) Be kind to yourself.
Negative self-talk is a surefire way to sabotage your resolution. It can limit your ability to believe in yourself and reach your full potential. Be kind to yourself and celebrate your accomplishments along the way!
Sticking to your New Year’s resolution takes time and energy but your health is worth it. This year, make yourself proud and honor your commitment to healthy change!
