Well it’s a new year and with that comes all of those new year resolutions we all make. As much as I try my hardest to stick to mine, I somehow seem to always end up falling short of achieving what I set out to accomplish. Maybe you can relate to this. I always like going back and looking at what my resolutions were for the past year, especially the ones I fell short on and asking the question: Where did I go wrong and what could I have done better to help me succeed in accomplishing my resolutions? It’s amazing how much we learn when we look back in retrospect and think of all the things we could have done differently. So, what I decided to do is to put together 7 tips that will help both you and I in 2014 to achieve all that we set out to accomplish in the new year. So, here we go:
1. WRITE DOWN YOUR RESOLUTIONS
Thinking about what you want to accomplish in the new year is great but it’s not real until you actually write it down. By writing it down you are in essence committing yourself to you, signing a contract with yourself and holding yourself accountable to getting it done.
“IT’S A DREAM UNTIL YOU WRITE IT DOWN, AND THEN IT’S A GOAL”. ~ ANONYMOUS
2. BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC ABOUT YOUR GOALS
Instead of writing down “lose weight” for example, be more specific and write the actually amount of weight you will lose. If it’s to save more money, be specific on how much money you want to save that year. Without doing so, there’s no way to actually measure the progress you have made and assess how successful you were at the end.
3. THINK BIG, START SMALL
As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day. I know sometimes we get overwhelmed by some of our goals. Whether it’s to lose a large amount of weight, run a marathon, pay off debt, start a new business, or learn a new language. Whatever it may be, think small steps. Committing to exercise daily, eating better, spending less, running one mile, then two, then three, buying the Rosetta Stone, these are all small steps along the way to the big one.
“THE JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS WITH A SINGLE STEP”. ~ CHINESE PROVERB
4. CREATE OR FIND A SUPPORT GROUP
I know sometimes we think we can do it all ourselves with little to no help from others and perhaps we can. The truth is, you and I both exponentially increase our success rate when we have the support and encouragement of others along the way. Whether it’s telling family and friends your goal or goals and asking for their support, or joining Weight Watchers where you meet with others on a weekly basis also striving to lose weight, or joining a running group with other first time runners also training for a marathon, or taking an evening class to learn a new trade or skill with others that have similar interests. Whatever it may be, find and surround yourself with others who are also seeking the same goals and results that you are.
5. REWARD YOURSELF ALONG THE WAY
I still think back to grade school and how I always aimed to score a 90 or higher on my tests because if I did, I knew I would get a sticker on my test saying “Fantastic” or “Great Job”. I know, it was just a sticker but it motivated me to try harder. It was my reward and I loved it. Apply this same concept to your own resolutions and goals. Break down your year long goals into monthly goals and when you achieve them, have a reward system in place for yourself. An example could be, if your goal was to lose 6 pounds in January and you achieved your goal, then a reward could be getting a massage, or going to your favorite restaurant, or some retail therapy as my girlfriend calls it. Make it something you wouldn’t otherwise do, something out of the norm that makes the reward special.
6. STAY THE COURSE
Regardless of how well we plan ahead, there’s this thing called LIFE that sometimes gets the best of us and throws us a couple of curve balls along the way. When this happens, and it will happen, take a breath, acknowledge the set back and move forward by getting back on track immediately. Part of being successful consists of failing along the way. Fall nine times, get up ten. It’s Wednesday and you just had a burger, fries and a few beers and you say to yourself, “well, this week is a failure. Guess I will get back on track Monday.” Sound familiar? Get right back on track the very next day.
7. STAY MOTIVATED
It’s January and the gyms are full of people excited and motivated by their new resolutions to get fit and healthy. It’s February and there’s less people. It’s March and sadly enough the gyms are back to their normal traffic patterns. At some point or another we’ve all experienced this type of motivational decline. The key to success is to stay motivated throughout the entire year and not just in the first few months. Perhaps it’s joining a running club, or taking new classes, or reading books with inspiring messages and success stories or motivational videos. Maybe buying new fitness clothing or signing up for different athletic events throughout the year. Whatever it may be, whatever gets you going, fired up and motivated, identify it and do it. It could be multiple things throughout the year. Figure out what inspires you and motivates you and do it. It could be a combination of things. There’s no right answer here. You know you and what makes you tick. Stay motivated.
Quick Recap of the 7 Tips To Help You Achieve Your New Year Resolutions In 2014
1. WRITE DOWN YOUR RESOLUTIONS
2. BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC ABOUT YOUR GOALS
3. THINK BIG, START SMALL
4. CREATE OR FIND A SUPPORT GROUP
5. REWARD YOURSELF ALONG THE WAY
6. STAY THE COURSE
7. STAY MOTIVATED
For more tips and information be sure to subscribe to The Wellness Bucket mailing list below.
