The start of the New Year is an exciting time, full of possibilities, and potential. The end of the holidays brings about a sense of renewal, which often prompts people to set new resolutions and goals for themselves.

However, as the months go by, it can be hard to stay motivated and keep going on your journey towards achieving those goals. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology revealed that out of 159 people who made New Year’s resolutions, about 29% had already given up on them within the first two weeks of the new year, and 36% by the end of the month. And six months into the year, 54% were no longer pursuing their goals.

If you're struggling to keep yourself accountable and stick to your resolutions, then read on to learn proven strategies for achieving your New Year's goals.

 

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Are Your Resolutions Realistic Or Unrealistic?

When it comes to New Year's resolutions, most of us have a pretty optimistic outlook. We think that anything is possible and that we can achieve all the goals we’ve set for ourselves. But are those goals realistic?

When making resolutions, it’s important to make sure that they’re actually achievable. If your resolution requires major life changes or resources you don’t currently possess, you may want to consider breaking the goal down into smaller steps in order to make it more achievable. The trick is striking a balance between setting realistic goals that still push you outside of your comfort zone and challenge you to grow.

It's great to dream big when making resolutions but it's also important not to set yourself up for failure by setting unrealistic expectations.

 

Related story: Start 2023 Right: Achievable New Year Resolution Ideas For Work

 

Discover Approaches to Stick with New Year Resolutions

1. Embrace Accountability Through Journaling

The New Year is upon us, and with it comes the classic tradition of setting resolutions. Whether you're aiming to lose weight, save more money, or learn a new skill in 2023, making resolutions can be an empowering way to start the year off on the right foot. But achieving your goals requires effort and dedication throughout the year and that can be difficult. One great way to stay accountable for your New Year's resolutions is by journaling.

Journaling provides a platform for reflection and self-examination that goes beyond simply writing down your goals; it allows you to explore how you think about those goals and make adjustments as needed. For example, when trying to stick with a resolution like “get fit” or “eat healthier," take time every day to jot down what meals or workouts worked well for you and why.

 

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2. Find a Resolution Partner

Are you finding it difficult to stay on track with your New Year's resolutions? You're not alone. It can be hard to stay motivated and focused throughout the year when it comes to making positive changes. But the good news is, finding a partner may help you stick with your resolutions.

Partnering up with someone else can provide an extra layer of accountability that can keep both of you on track. Choose someone who shares a similar goal or has a compatible resolution that complements yours. Or, if you’re in search of motivation, find someone who is passionate about their resolution and let them inspire you to achieve your goals.

How will partnering up help? Not only do partners act as cheerleaders along the way but also give a constructive platform for reflection and improvement, something we all could use from time to time.

 

Related story: Start Your New Year's Resolutions In December, Here’s Why

 

3. Remember That Every Small Step Counts

One great approach to stick with your New Year resolutions is to focus on smaller goals that will help you hit your big goal. When it comes to achieving success, breaking down bigger tasks into smaller ones helps you stay focused and motivated without feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by the size of the project.

Think about what steps need to be taken in order for you to accomplish your resolution and set specific deadlines for yourself. By taking one task at a time, each step seems more manageable, which increases motivation levels and keeps you from getting frustrated or giving up altogether.

Creating an action plan is essential so make sure you know everything that needs to be done in order for you to . For instance, if you want to lose 30 Kgs by summer, focus on making one lifestyle change each week like cutting out sugary drinks or eating more fruits and vegetables.

By creating these micro-goals along the way, you will have something tangible that you can track and feel proud of when achieved. Additionally, reward yourself when hitting each milestone as this will create a positive feedback loop and further your motivation for reaching your final goal.

 

4. Consider The Negative Risks To Stay Motivated

Why do so many of us fail in our attempts to keep up with our new year goals? It could be because we don't consider the negative risks associated with not following through.

For instance, if your resolution is to lose weight, but you tend to give up after a few weeks of exercising and eating right, it's likely due in part because you haven't weighed out the potential consequences of failing. Not eating healthy and not being active can lead to a host of chronic health issues such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Understanding this before embarking on your journey can help keep you motivated when things seem tough. It's also important that when considering New Year resolutions you create attainable goals for yourself.

 

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5. The Secret To Success: Focus On Habit-Formation

The start of a new year is always a time for reflection and resolution. Many people set ambitious goals, only to find that they have trouble following through with their plans and soon fall back into old habits and routines. But if you want to make sure you reach your New Year's resolutions this year, the key is simple: focus on creating habits.

Habits are the best way to guarantee sustained progress in any area of life, from improving your physical health to becoming more productive at work. Habitualised behaviour makes it easier to build up momentum over time, instead of having all the hard work be concentrated in one big burst that fades away when faced with everyday distractions and excuses.

Habits provide structure and routine in our lives; they serve as automatic cues that remind us to act in a certain way without having to think about it too much further. Establishing habits around tasks related to our goals can be incredibly effective when it comes to getting things done consistently over time, rather than relying on willpower alone.

 

6. Strengthening Your Self-Esteem: Don't Beat Yourself Up

One approach that can help people stick with their New Year’s resolution is taking an optimistic outlook and not beating yourself up when you have setbacks or slip-ups. It’s natural to make mistakes; instead of punishing yourself for them, be kind and forgiving so you don't sabotage your progress.

Everyone makes mistakes, but those moments don’t define you or your progress towards achieving your goals. Instead of dwelling on missteps and feeling guilty about them afterwards, use them as an opportunity for growth by reflecting on what went wrong and how you can do better next time.

 

Related story: 6 Tips To Deal With Conflicts And Be A Better Person, According To Experts

 

7. Timing Is Everything

One key strategy for success is to not tell people too soon about your goals. When you share your plans with others, it can be tempting to jump right into them and get an immediate sense of accomplishment. Unfortunately, this short-term gratification can actually become counterproductive in the long run. By keeping your plans under wraps until you start making progress, you'll stay motivated to keep going as opposed to giving up when things don’t happen immediately.

That being said, once a goal has been reached, don't be afraid to shout it from the rooftops. Letting people know when targets have been hit can help create positive reinforcement which will encourage further success. Celebrate small wins along the way and use each milestone as fuel for reaching even greater heights.

Setting and achieving your New Year's goals is a great way to start off the year in the right direction. Whether you are looking to make physical changes, financial improvements, or just focus on self-care, there are plenty of proven strategies that can help you reach your desired outcomes. Identifying and utilising these methods is key to creating an achievable plan that works for you.

 

Need all your wellness solutions in one place? A whole new world awaits just a click away.