Tips to Make New Year’s Eve Resolutions Last

Breaking resolutions is as much a part of the whole process as making them. We all know that. Here are some useful hints that will probably help you avoid this.

• Be realistic. Don not ban things you are in love with altogether, and instead opt for scaling it down. Establish attainable goals.
• Plan ahead. Waiting until the last minute to make your New Year’s Eve resolutions is bad policy. Pan out resolutions, strategies, and schedules with time. Outline your plan and possible escape routes when things are going wrong, including a list of supportive friends who might get you back on track. A pros and cons list will always be a helpful resource when feeling weak or unmotivated.
• Talk about it. First, make your resolutions public, so you engage friends and family in your effort. Really, one of the best strategies is finding a resolution buddy or buddies with whom you can share the resolution objectives.
• Reward yourself. Find those pieces of daily delight that do not contradict your resolutions and save them for rewarding purposes. For example, buy yourself a treat. Not chocolates, but new swimming goggles!!! Or go to a music concert, movie, or sports show with a friend. Get the gist?
• Track your progress. Allow for short-term goals so you may keep track of successes on a regular basis. Keep a notepad with your resolutions, goals and achievements. This helps greatly with ongoing motivation. If exercising, consider getting a fitness tracker.
• Stay positive. This one is practically a life motto. And in the case of resolutions… Oh so important! Using positive language and feedback is not tricking or deluding yourself. It is building for a better now and a bright future.
• Go easy on yourself. Beating yourself up is no good. If you slip —and you are bound to— getting back on track is the most important and urgent impulse you need to have.
• Stick to it & keep trying. You know it takes time and you are, therefore, ready to make a long-term investment. Experts say new activities take approximately 21 days to stick, to become habits. Exercise patience and be persistent. If you have faltered 2 months into your resolution, take some time to reassess the situation. Sometimes starting all over again is the best course. Maybe try to go back or reset short-term goals within the grander scheme of things.