Keeping New Year’s resolutions

Are you keeping your New Year’s resolutions now we’re getting further into the new year? Don’t be embarrassed if not, we’ve all been there. Here are some ideas for how to stick with them.

Are you biting off more than you can chew?

It’s tempting to go with “lose ten stone” or “save enough money to fly to Fiji” as a resolution. After all, a whole year is plenty of time to get big things done! However, you still have to start with the little steps. Trying to make a big change all at once is still going to leave you feeling overwhelmed.

It’s also a good idea not to try to make several resolutions at once. You’re likely to end up struggling to prioritise and end up doing none of them.

Break things into manageable chunks

Try changing your resolution to take just a small step instead. When that becomes part of your regular routine, add another. There’s no law that says you can’t make new resolutions later in the year. For example, you want to save enough money for your dream holiday. Instead of leaving yourself short of money, make a resolution to walk instead of taking the bus every day. Or buy a cheaper brand of something. When you’re used to that, make another change, and watch them add up!

Get support

Chatting about resolutions with friends and family and encouraging each other can help a lot. Did someone you know make the same resolution you did? Work out a system together to help you keep it up. If you and your workmate both want to exercise more, try jogging or swimming together! Alternatively, join a group devoted specifically to the thing you’re trying to do. If there aren’t any local ones the internet can help. Congratulate each other when you succeed, commiserate but don’t wallow if you slip up. Share any tips you found helpful. Not all the tips which worked for you will work for others, or vice versa, but it can’t hurt to try them.

Are you worrying too much over slip-ups?

Everyone makes mistakes when trying to make a change. It’s normal and you didn’t fail! If you skipped your new evening class or didn’t do all the chores you’d meant to keep up with look at why. If there’s a good reason, like having to do overtime at work or your kids were ill, give yourself a break. Sometimes other things take priority, and you can always go back to your resolution afterwards. It may help to make a note of what caused the slip-up, especially if it happens multiple times, so you can try to overcome that. Also, try building in cheat days as a reward when you’ve kept it up for a certain amount of time!

Are you keeping track of what you’re doing?

Try keeping a checklist of steps you want or need to take to reach your goal and a diary of what you’ve done to reach those goals each day/week/month. It’ll help you remember what you still need to do, and encourage you by showing you how far you’ve already come!

Are you getting the help you need?

If it’s all a bit too much to manage on your own, it’s not a failure to get a bit of a boost. I can help with motivation, stress reduction, time management, confidence, accepting change, and much more. Give me a ring to find out more.