NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION STRATEGY TIPS
DAVE MCGILLIVRAY
Everyone has their own long-term goals and objectives that may frame their New Year’s resolutions, so we won’t impose our opinions by telling you what you should or shouldn’t set as your own personal goals. However, we do have some tips that may help you keep your resolutions and not give them up only a few short weeks into the new year.
You made it through the pandemic panic of 2020. Think positively about 2021. We must remain hopeful. HOPE may be the only thing some of us have to lean on at this moment. Your attitude is your decision.
Regardless of what you chose as a resolution, you are very important to so many people and you should always be focused on taking care of yourself. Don’t ever neglect yourself, your health, or your well-being. This should always be at the top of your priority list.
Resolutions are commitments you make with yourself. Prioritize them. Pick two or three key resolutions, not an unrealistic or unmanageable number.
Know that on average, 80% of New Year’s resolutions evaporate by January 19. Be laser-focused so this does not happen to you.
Take this seriously. Don’t play games with yourself or kid yourself. Genuinely and sincerely, commit.
Put a timeline together that keeps you honest and on track. Write it all down and keep a daily log if you think this will help you keep your commitment.
Once you have committed to it and are serious about it, tell others what you are planning to do, especially people close to you. Then you are really committed. Call it positive pressure.
Perhaps challenge others to join you. Sticking with resolutions can be easier and even more fun if it is a team effort.
You have to earn the right to make this commitment. This is not a barroom bet.
Don’t set unrealistic goals. Set goals for success, not failure. Be specific, not vague.
Understand and recognize up front there will be sacrifices you will have to make and accept upfront. Remain positive and resist the urge to complain about them as they occur.
This will be a marathon, not a sprint (yes, a cliché, but it is true). Be patient. Too much, too soon is a recipe for failure.
It’s your game, so they’re your rules. Without in-person events, gatherings, or open facilities to keep us motivated, you now need to come up with your own challenges. Do it your way. This could actually be a good thing.
It may be easier to set goals where you stop doing something (e.g., bad eating habits) versus adding something to your to-do list. Choose something that will make an impact in your life.
Lastly, your ultimate goal should be to feel good about yourself. That is the foundation by which we accomplish everything else in our lives and something we all could use right now.
Good luck and Happy New Year!