Swimsuit season is right around the corner, how’s that New Year’s Resolution coming along?
If you answered anything less than “fine”, worry not, because we all struggle to enact meaningful change in our lives. Habits can be hard to break, and forming newer, more positive ones can be a challenge too. Are you going to throw in the towel and give up, or will you get up, dust yourself off, and try again? Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare, consistency beats intensity every time.
If you need some tips to jumpstart your resolutions from January, here are some useful tips I’ve compiled from VeryWell. Feel free to check out the entire article if you wish, but I’ve compiled it down to what I consider to be the most effective methods to meet your resolution goals.
Establish Support
Accountability can go a long ways in achieving your goals. Share your resolution with friends, family, or a significant other, and communicate your progress and goals. There are plenty of ways to do this so don’t be afraid to get creative. Share your gym trips on social media or text images of each meal you’re eating to an accountability partner. There may even be phone or computer apps that could help you too.
Know your Goals and Reward Success
How will you know when you’ve reached success if you don’t define it? Simply saying you want to lose weight is much different than establishing a plan to lose 15 pounds. Setting concrete goals also allows you to reward yourself along the way. Divide your progress into smaller goals and it’ll feel more manageable, especially if your goal is a big one that will take time to meet. As you reach those smaller goals, reward yourself. You’ll feel accomplished each step of the way, and more likely to reach your final goal.
Jot Your Thoughts, Plan That You Can
Most people simply make mental notes for New Year’s resolutions, but not getting those thoughts down on paper makes them harder to visualize them as time goes on. Details get fuzzy, distorted, or perhaps even forgotten. List out the pros and cons of each, an important aspect to remind yourself of when the going gets tough. Once you’ve gotten everything on paper, put it in a location you’ll see regularly so you don’t forget. Some people also write letters to their future self, which can offer a much-needed pep talk if you start questioning yourself.
So there you have it, some new strategies for your arsenal of change. Just remember, New Year’s doesn’t have to be the only time you decide to make a change. The best time is here and now before the present opportunity becomes a past regret.
