Creating New Year Resolutions is a time-honored tradition. And so is breaking them. In fact, only 8% of people successfully achieve their resolutions. Increase your chances of keeping your resolutions this year by following these five tips.
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Set S.M.A.R.T. goals
S.M.A.R.T. is a goal-setting philosophy that stands for: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Set your goals following this convention to create clear and attainable objectives. Living in an active adult community can help motivate you if you have health-related goals in mind. Instead of saying “I’m going to get in shape.” A S.M.A.R.T. goal would be “I’m going to walk at least 20 minutes a day twice a week.” This allows you to break larger, more vague goals into smaller and more manageable chunks that you’re more likely to keep.
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Talk about it
People who publicly share their goals with their social networks are more likely to keep them. Social support is critical so take advantage of the social accountability phenomenon and tell your family and friends (or a specific accountability partner) your plans for the new year.
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Schedule time
We don’t find time to do things; we choose time. Everyone leads busy lives and choose how they spend the hours they have each day. Make your goals a priority and schedule them into your calendar (literally and figuratively!). Create recurring appointments for your resolutions, just like you would for a doctor or dentist’s appointment and make sure you keep them!
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Reassess your resolutions
Don’t be afraid to review and modify your resolutions. We create resolutions to become a better version of ourselves. If you find you’re having difficulty achieving your current goals, adjust them as needed to something more practical.
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Don’t give up
Remember: it’s about progress, not perfection. Allow yourself a level of grace to know that you may slip up and that it’s okay! Instead of berating yourself for your misstep or giving up completely, resolve to keep moving forward and getting back on track.
Achieving your resolutions isn’t about willpower; it’s about developing the right skills to create good habits.
