It’s December, and while we still have all the fun and festivities of Christmas to get through. I know I’m not alone in wondering what next year will bring bad if it’s really worth getting some New Year’s Resolutions. New Year is always a great time to make changes and change your life, and there are so many resolutions you opt for if making them is your thing; you don’t always have to plump for the ubiquitous health and fitness goals, although they’re great goals to work towards.

But far from helping you pick a resolution for your new year’s goals, this post will look at some ways you can make it stick longer than the 88% of people who fail within the first two weeks. I know I struggle with motivation for longer than this, so clearly, I’m not alone.

Small Steps

One thing many people do when it comes to making New Year’s resolutions is to go big. However, this often leads to overwhelming situations. Instead of trying to change everything at once, break it down into more manageable chunks. So, if your goal is to go to the gym more, instead of hitting the gym every day 5 days a week, start small with one or two sessions. Remember, one or two are more than you were doing if you aren’t already going.

Once this fits into your lifestyle and becomes a habit, add another day and so on. This approach can make the journey less daunting and more achievable.

Be Realistic

So you’ve got an idea in your head of where you want to be, but is that realistic for you? Many people often try to reinvent themselves or take on challenges that aren’t suitable for them or their lifestyles.

When you set your resolutions, it’s crucial to be realistic about how they will impact your life and how you can accommodate any changes you want to make. Because if they are not realistic for you and your life, you’re simply setting yourself up for failure. Being realistic about your goals can give you a sense of control and a clear path to success.

Kit Yourself Out

Some goals might require you to invest in tools and equipment prior to starting. If you have appropriate tools to help you out, you’re more likely to see things through or be able to make the changes you want to.

These could be mens trail running shoes if you’re taking up trail running. Or they could be womens tracksuits to help you build suitable gym attire or even Tupperware or containers if eating healthy and meal prepping is your goal. The more tools you have, the more prepared you will be and the easier it will be not only to get started but also to see it through past that dreaded two-week mark.

Find An Accountability Partner

Having someone on board to help you stay accountable or even join you on your quest to make changes can be a great help in many ways. Firstly, having someone cheer you on can push you through the sticky patches and the times you want to throw in the towel. And having someone walk the path with you can keep you company, give you strength and assist you when you need it. This support can make your journey less lonely and more enjoyable.

Make A Plan and Schedule

This is not applicable to all resolutions; however, planning your route from where you are now to where you want to be involves putting your schedule in place and giving yourself something visual you can work towards. A top tip is to add it to your diary and treat it as you would anything else you need to do, especially if it requires extra effort or a chunk of time.

Set Specific Goals

Let’s take weight loss. If your goal is to lose weight in 2025, instead of saying you want to lose kg or lbs, be more specific.

Choose a weight loss schedule that works for you, i.e., 1kg per week max, which is plenty and more sustainable for most people. Then, give yourself smaller goals. Say you have a wedding in February you want to lose weight for, and there are 6 weeks from New Year’s Day to the wedding; setting yourself an achievable goal of losing 5kg will be much easier than a more significant amount, and those smaller milestones cna keep the motivation going. Once the wedding or goal date is reached, you can set yourself a new one and so on, until you get to where you want to be.

Hopefully, these tips can help you stick to any New Year’s resolutions you might make this year.

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