Year. However, another tradition is to create a New Year’s resolution.
I’m sure you’ve been there before. You find yourself procrastinating on your
resolution or just completely disregarding it. Resolutions are so much easier to make than
to keep, but why make one if you are just going to blow it off?
New Year’s resolutions can help you enhance your life, so before selecting your
resolution, think carefully. Make sure it is a goal that is reasonably achievable and is
specific. Do not make a resolution to simply lose weight. Instead, choose how much
weight you plan to lose.
If you lack a resolution but are interested in creating one, consider what interests
you and what you would like to achieve. Perhaps craft it around a bad habit you have,
like biting your nails or skipping class, and aim to completely get rid of it by the end of
the year.
According to usa.gov, the most popular New Year resolutions are to drink less
alcohol, get a better education, find a better job, get fit, lose weight, manage debt,
manage stress, quit smoking, reduce, reduce, and recycle, save money, take a trip, and
volunteer to help others. These may not apply to you, but if you are stuck, take them into
consideration.
It may seem like common sense, but pick a resolution that is realistic. “I am not
going to eat any junk food,” could work for a few weeks. When you end up going to your
friend’s birthday party and there’s a bowl of your favorite chips crying your name, you
won’t be able to resist.
After selecting your resolution, map out the steps it will take to get you to that
point. One of the common misconceptions about New Year resolutions is that it is
something that can be achieved within a short period of time. Whether it is to learn a new
language or to make enough money to buy something expensive, these things cannot
happen overnight.
To prevent yourself from forgetting about your resolution, handwrite it
somewhere in a place you will see on a regular basis. You could tape it to your mirror,
put it on your computer, or even put it on your steering wheel of your car (do not get
distracted while driving). That little reminder will help you out. If something is in the
same place every day for a period of time, you will become used to it and will forget to
look at it, though. Move it every month to keep it fresh in your mind.
Another way to remember your resolution is to share it with a friend. If they share
their resolution with you, you can remind and support each other so that you can both
achieve your goals.
Set checkpoints for your resolution. When you get to your checkpoint, see how
far you have gotten and whether or not you need to catch up or not. Keep thinking about
your resolution and the positive outcomes of it. It may help to handwrite your
improvements in a journal. Record the date of your achievement and set a new
checkpoint based on your rate of progress.
New Year’s resolutions require rewards. Every time you hit your checkpoint and
hit measurable progress, reward yourself. Do something small that you enjoy to give yourself a pat on the back.
It’s already January, so no more procrastinating on making your New Year’s
resolution. Write it down and stick to it as soon as possible. If you keep procrastinating,
you may not reach your goals.
Good luck!