17 Easy Ways to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions
By: Maya Bokhari
Tags: Self Improvement, How To, Advice, New Year, Resolutions

Reflect

What went well in 2020? Think about the small successes before tackling the big challenges. What was one moment that made you smile? What was one moment that filled you with pride? And what was one moment that made you forget about the year’s disasters? By identifying the better moments of 2020, you can search for more of them in 2021.

2. Think big

Name your goals broadly. Improving organization, saving money, and being kinder are big, intangible goals. By creating lofty resolutions, there’s no way to quit early for quantifiable failure.

3. Start small

Search for goals you can meet in one minute or less. Instead of saying, “I’ll put it away later,” put it away now. It won’t take that long, and you’ll begin to feel more organized. Make your own coffee instead of waiting in line to overpay. Take the few seconds to hold the door for the person behind you. Small actions are easily repeated and can become habits. Good habits are the beginning of a successful resolution.

4. Talk about it

If you have trouble holding yourself accountable, tell your friends about your goals, post on social media, or even tell yourself in the mirror. When your friends ask about your progress, you’ll want to tell them you’ve been successful — not that you’ve quit.

5. Document it

Write about your resolutions and your progress. Write a sentence, take a selfie, or cross off the days on your calendar. Seeing your collection of memories grow will inspire continuity.

6. Use a calendar

If you have a deadline in sight, give yourself a sense of urgency. Enumerate your days of success and countdown the days until your deadline.

7. Take breaks

Give yourself a breather, but not too soon and not for too long. The sooner you revert to your old ways, the easier it is to forget your new ones. Treat yourself subtly as a reward — not an excuse.

8. Find good examples

Remind yourself of the feeling you’re chasing and surround yourself with others who exemplify success. Turn to Pinterest, YouTube, and blogs to find role models and proven methods to reach your goals. Trying to lose weight? Dig up a picture of you looking your best. Trying to study harder? Put one of your highest grades on your desk. The more you know you’re capable of achievement, the more likely you will be to follow through.

9. Reimagine your goals

Revisit the broad goals you made initially. Can you find another interpretation or approach it from a different angle? Instead of just trying to improve your organization, also strive to decrease your clutter. Don’t just try to save money — can you make more? Every resolution has a complementary resolution that can help you achieve your goals more effectively.

10. Seek advice

Resolutions are not solo endeavors. Friends and family want to see you succeed as well. Ask them about their paths to success — take the parts that suit you and personalize them.

11. Say “yes”

Be open to trying new approaches.

12. Say “no”

Know your limits. If you know saying “yes” will be detrimental to your progress, say “no.” Your friends will applaud your tenacity, and each time, holding your ground will become easier.

13. Increment your progress

Reevaluate as your go along. Was the first week easier than expected? Ask more of yourself the next week. Ready to give up? Lower the bar a bit and build up.

14. Make your goals tangible

Dig out the pair of jeans that used to fit and try them on. Buy a desk organizer that will work only after getting rid of the clutter. The closer you are to you reaching your goals, the more physical reinforcement will inspire completion.

15. Document your success

Keep writing about your new habits after they’ve become second-nature. Keep taking selfies, and keep looking for ways to save extra cash. When you start a new resolution process later, you’ll be glad to remind yourself of your previous successes.

16. Celebrate your success

When you revisit your broad goals, you’ll remember that there was no quantifiable way to fail — there’s also no quantifiable way to succeed. So, celebrate the smaller goals along the way. Rewarding yourself every so often will keep you going.

17. Keep setting goals

Self-improvement does not have to be limited to the start of the year. Whenever you feel ready to make a change, use these tactics to keep you motivated and on track.