The New Year is always an opportunity for fresh starts, new perspectives and working towards goals we put off the previous year (and likely the year before that). Going into the new year a motivated outlook is something that has become somewhat of a societal norm, but unfortunately, giving up on those goals within the first week or two of January is also common.
Statistics indicate that about 92% of the millions of people who set New Year’s resolutions don’t actually stick to them. Finding better ways to create and maintain new habits will help you succeed. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Self-reflection
Engage in an honest self-assessment of how you feel about 2021. Ask yourself, “What went well, what did I accomplish, what I you learn and what do I want to change?”
Snowball Effect
People struggle sticking to goals and new habits when they are extreme or not realistic. Start small and break your goals into bite-size chunks. Identify a goal you can achieve in about 30 days or less, and use that success as motivation to keep moving forward.
Create a Routine
New habits are only effective if you are set up for success. As the saying goes, failure to plan means you plan to fail. Use tools such as calendars, alarms and reminders to assist you in sticking to these new behaviors.
Practice Gratitude
Research supports that shifting our focus to gratitude can help us to deal better with daily struggles and improve general well-being. A daily gratitude journal is one of the most effective ways to identify what is going well.
Circle of Control
Think of the inside of a circle as the things you can influence and change, and what’s on the outside as things you have no power over. Focus your energy on what’s inside your circle, and you will feel more empowered and in control of your life outcomes.
