Happy 2019! It’s hard to believe that it has already been a year since most of us lied to ourselves and said we would become a better, healthier, more productive person in 2018. For those who set lofty goals, and ultimately didn’t hit the gym seven times a week, read 200 books, or save enough money to retire at 35, don’t beat yourself up too much. New Year’s resolutions aren’t always easy to stick to.
This got us thinking – maybe it isn’t about the resolution itself, but how people go about sticking to something new.
Our team is all about setting and reaching goals, so we have broken down our top tips for sticking to your resolutions in 2019:
Be realistic
When setting a goal, you need to make sure you aren’t setting yourself up for failure. For example, if you’ve never run more than 100 yards in your life, you may be aiming a bit high if your resolution is to train and finish a marathon in under three hours. Perhaps make your resolution to finish a race, and then, from there, you can work to beat your personal records.
You should also not look to other people to see what their resolutions are. Pick something that is realistic for you, and that you can feasibly accomplish through ongoing dedication and hard work.
Focus on smaller attainable pieces
What’s the best way to eat an elephant? You guessed it – one bite at a time. One reason people give up on resolutions is because they get overwhelmed when looking at the big picture.
Did you set a resolution to organize your entire house? Try tackling it one room at a time, and spread them out throughout the year. Is your resolution to save $5,000? Look at small changes you can make each and every day that will help you slowly, and strategically, hit your goal.
Set a schedule and stick to it, and before you know it, you will have “eaten the elephant” that is your resolution.
Be patient with yourself
Trying something new or pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone can be stressful. Remember that you are human and that change takes time and hard work. If you slip up once in a while and let your resolution fall by the wayside, don’t give up entirely. Get yourself back on track and hold yourself accountable. Remember, science has proven that is only takes doing something 21 days in a row for it to become habit.
Don’t do it alone
Is your resolution to eat less junky snack foods? Ask a friend to help hold you accountable, and make sure it is someone who will go about it with good intentions. Do you want to get to the gym at least three times each week? Find a workout buddy who will go with you. It is a lot easier to cancel on yourself than it is to blow someone else off. Implementing a “buddy system” might be the trick that will help you finally stick to your resolutions.
Our final piece of advice is that if your resolution no longer aligns with your personal goals, it is okay to change something. January 1 feels like a great time for a fresh start, but every day is another chance to make a change in your life and start down a new path. And, remember, if you come up with something new you want to commit to, you don’t have to, and shouldn’t, wait until 2020 to start.
Cheers to successful, realistic, and rewarding new year’s resolutions!
If one of your resolutions is to take your business to a new level in 2019, reach out to us today and see how our team can help.
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