It’s the New Year… Again.

Ah late December. That time of year when you get to indulge in some PTO, yummy eats and time with loved ones. Suddenly, another year has flown by and once again everyone is talking about New Year resolutions. Can you remember what yours were last year? Or did you forget about them as soon as Spring rolled around?

If you’ve had trouble upholding resolutions in the past, don’t worry. You’re not the only one. Which is why we’ve noted a few simple hacks you can use to make your resolutions stick.

1. Write Them Down

Did you know that putting your goals on paper increases your chances of completing them? Writing goals down makes them visual, rather than just a fleeting thought or a dream.

Place your written goals somewhere in your room or near your desk so that you can see them in front of you on a daily basis. This will keep them top of mind, serving as a reminder when life gets off track.

2. Narrow it down

Scattered focus leads to scattered results. Or worse, no results at all!

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when we think of all the changes we wish to make. So if you want to actually keep your resolutions and avoid burnout, narrow them down to 1-3 major goals that you truly believe will change your life the most.

3. Be specific

Be extremely specific in what your goals are. That way, you’ll know what steps you need to take in order to achieve them!

Once you’ve determined the details, make sure to take the necessary steps. Invest the time into your goals and imagine the future want to see for yourself. What does that look like? Don’t leave out any details!

4. Write down your ‘WHY’

Don’t let yourself forget the motivation behind your resolutions.

Whether it’s on your mobile notes app, a piece of paper, or your journal — physically writing down and formalizing your ‘why’ will remind you why you created these resolutions in the first place. Writing down the inspiration or frustration can have a way of reigniting that fire that we may (over time) have forgotten was there.

4. Create Habits to Support Each Goal

New Year resolutions tend to be major lifestyle changes.

I want to...“get more fit”, “be more organized”, “get scuba certified”. The sky is the limit. But at the end of the day, these are some major goals that require a lot of daily work to turn into a reality. In order to make these goals more manageable, you need a plan of attack.

This is where habits come into play! AKA small, recurring actions that can help get you closer to the person you want to be.

First step is to write down the habits you know you would need to integrate into your routine in order to achieve these goals.

For example:

If the goal is to lose 10 lbs- this will require a habit of going to the gym a few times a week and perhaps a dedicated meal prep day.

If the goal is to be organized, that would require a minimum of 1-2 hours a week dedicated to organizing your space, closets, files.

Next, figure out how you can fit these new habits into your life and break them down so it’s clear and foolproof. If you’re not sure what habits you’ll need to develop to reach your goals, do some research! The more prepared you are, the better success you will have in your endeavors.

5. Be Realistic

Once you’ve noted down the habits you need to create, make sure you keep it simple and accessible.

Be real with yourself about what you’re willing to change, what approaches might be too extreme for you and what you might have to find a balance or compromise for.

Not everyone wants to eat 5 servings of veggies everyday (which is what the doctors order, btw) but aiming to include 2-3 servings everyday will get you started on the right track. There is no shame in starting small or easing your way into building new habits.

Going to the gym once a week is better than aiming for 5 and giving up altogether because you couldn’t keep up with your unrealistically rigorous plan.

You can accomplish absolutely anything, but you’ll need to know yourself and create a tailored plan to ensure it’s achievable for you, and where you are in your life now.

6. Use your Calendar for Check-Ins

Accountability is key, and a calendar is one way to help keep yourself in check.

There is no quicker way to lose a handle on your desire to change then failing to plan for it. Allocating time for your goals, prioritizing them, and staying accountable will free you from the burden of ‘not having enough time’. The key is to MAKE time.

I recommend creating a check-in for yourself every 1-3 months (depending on how hungry and regimented you are), and being real about whether you’ve stayed on track.

Ask yourself — what have I achieved? What can I be better with?

Don’t judge yourself for straying, but use these check-ins to help you pivot your energy and efforts based on your progress or lack thereof. New realities may have surfaced, (life is always giving us surprises) so use your knowledge to revamp your plan and make it work for you!

7. Talk about it with everyone

The more you talk about your goals, in earnest, the more likely you will follow through with them.

It’s something I didn’t realize until I became a business owner. Once you say it, it’s impossible to take back, or at least allow yourself to give up easily. When you talk about your goals as if they are attainable - because let’s be clear, they ARE - you are clearing cobwebs of self-doubt, self sabotage and excuses to make room for your new reality.

8. Start to Think and Speak as If You Are The New You

Have you ever heard of ‘speaking it into the universe’?

Our path to success begins when we believe and accept these goals as attainable. Not that they will be easy, but that they are possible. Begin by changing your internal dialogue. Do and say whatever you need to start believing in your potential, your abilities and your success. Practice affirmations every morning or talk the talk as if you’re already the person you want to become. the universe will respond accordingly!

“Sorry I can’t meet up tonight, I have to hit the gym”

“I have to study tonight, but thanks for thinking of me”

“See you tomorrow! I’m going to work on the blog now”

WHO SAID THAT? YOU JUST DID.

Your behavior will follow suit. You got this!

We truly believe we are all capable of reaching our goals and living out our purpose, but only if we honor the intuition that compelled us to make our resolutions in the first place.

Good luck to you in 2023 and remember, above all, be kind to yourself.

These goals are coming from you and to you. If they are doing more harm than good, take a step back to reassess. There is not one soul that hasn’t stumbled in pursuit of a better self, but consistency and the willingness to keep going will make all the difference.

If you realize you could use a little guidance or support along your journey, feel free to reach out to Natalie and our wonderful team! We genuinely love helping people and sticking to our goals can be life-changing if done right.

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