New Year, new me; at least that’s what everyone says. New Year’s resolutions are something that are usually made but rarely kept. Keeping a New Year’s resolution can be very difficult, but with a little motivation and a few tips, you are off to accomplish your goal for this upcoming year.

Let’s take it back a step. When thinking of a resolution, it is important to make it more specific rather than broad. This helps you to understand exactly what you want.. Rather than saying you want to be healthier, say you want to cook healthy meals for dinner at home six of the seven days and workout once a week.

Reaching for the stars is always good, however, so are baby steps. Start off small and building onto the goal is one way to allow for that resolution stick. For example, if working out more is your 2020 resolution, instead of trying to go to the gym five times a week, start with once per week and as time goes by and you get more comfortable, make it twice a week and so on until you’ve reached the desired lifestyle.

Many of us run into the problem of “I didn’t have enough time.” Creating a calendar or schedule that states the day and time of the task will help with the follow through or action. Getting into a routine will help leave any bad habits in 2019. It is also important to prioritize your goals over pleasures such as television; allow fun to be a reward after working towards the goal.

Progress. Progress. Progress. It is important to keep track of the progress made towards the goal. This is a way to regularly reflect on how successful you have been as well as where you are on the pathway towards full success! This will give more confidence and motivation to continue making progress towards the end goal. A couple ways to keep track of progress is through the notes app on an iPhone or a small journal.

Put yourself on the spot. Yes, as vulnerable as it is and sometimes uncomfortable, people who share goals rather than keeping them to themselves have increased their chances of succeeding. 

New Year’s resolutions are a great opportunity for change. If there’s a will there’s a way. Keeping the goal realistic and staying motivated will make for a successful year. Even though the hard work can’t be done for you, there are tools along the way to help you succeed. Take a jump, You got this!