After ringing in the New Year, many of us feel inspired to create new goals and resolutions. Whether we want to pick up a new skill, create a fitness goal, or improve our overall well-being, the new year is a great time for some positive change. While goal setting is exciting, staying consistent can be a challenge, especially as the month of January marches on. How do we create these resolutions and turn them into longtime habits?
- Try to Set Clear, Achievable Goals
Having resolutions that are vague can make them difficult to achieve them. Sometimes, we tend to overcomplicate our goals and trick ourselves into thinking they aren’t achievable, but they are— it just takes steps. You want to set clear, specific resolutions for yourself. Here are some examples below if you need guidance:
-
- Save $150 each month
- Go to the gym for 30 minutes, 3 times a week
- Have a screen time for no more than 5 hours daily
- Meditate for 10 minutes each day
- Read 12 books this year
Using a goal-setting tool such as S.M.A.R.T. goals is another great way to make your goals clear and achievable. You can read more information on that here.
2. Create a Routine
As cliche as it sounds, consistency is truly the key. Create a daily or weekly routine that will support your goals. Routines can help eliminate the negative mental doubts, which will make it easier to stay on track.
3. Track Your Progress
Regularly tracking your progress can help you keep yourself accountable and motivated. Use a journal or an app to monitor your milestones, even the tiniest ones. You can reflect on how far you’ve come and remind yourself that you are headed in the right direction. Remember to not compare your journey to someone else’s, what you’re doing is enough!
4. Vision Your Success
Personally, one of my favorite things to do is to create vision boards. Vision boards can help keep your goals front and center. Pinterest is one of my favorite apps to use for vision boards! You can even make a physical board and print out pictures, symbols, and quotes that represent your goals for the year. Place the vision board in a place where it can be a constant reminder to stay consistent.
5. Treat Yourself with Kindness
It’s very important to remember that the progress in your goals won’t always be smooth-sailing. Setbacks are completely normal, as life can throw unexpected challenges at us. Remember that you are showing up and trying your best. It’s okay to hit pause and take a break if you need it. The most important thing is your well-being. Persistence is key— not perfection.
Setting goals is the first step and staying consistent will lead you to success. Make this year yours and remember anything is possible! As Albert Einstein put it, “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”
