How to Follow Through with Your New Year's Resolutions

December 30, 2022

Mountaineer News

New Year Resolutions

BUCKHANNON - As the clock ticks down on 2022 and we prepare to usher in the new year, many of us are setting resolutions and goals for the coming months. The start of a new year is a time for hope, for optimism and for new beginnings.

For some, this might mean committing to getting into shape or finally starting that business you've been dreaming about. But for many of us, the challenge isn't setting goals - it's sticking to them. That's where your resolutions come in.

Make your resolutions count by choosing ones that are truly meaningful to you; Ones that will inspire positive change in your life. Here are a few tips on how to do just that.

You've set your resolutions. Now what?

Now is the time to put those resolutions into action. And that's where the real benefit of setting resolutions comes in: the act of making resolutions itself is a powerful tool for positive change.

Resolutions remind us of what we want to achieve, and they give us a roadmap for how to get there. They help us stay focused on our goals, and they keep us accountable for our actions. In other words, making resolutions is a great way to stay motivated and on track all year long.

So, don't be afraid to set big goals for yourself this year. Just make sure that your resolutions are realistic and achievable, and that you have a plan for how to achieve them. And then get ready to take on 2023 with gusto!

Making healthy changes can actually stick. It's not as hard as you might think, but it does require a little effort on your part. Here are a few ideas that might help:

1. Your resolutions must be realistic.

Trying to go from couch potato to marathon runner overnight is going to be tough, and is most likely setting yourself up for failure. On the other hand, if your goal is to gradually increase your activity level, you're much more likely to be successful.

2. Deadlines are essential.

Giving yourself a deadline to meet your resolution is a great way to stay on track. For example, "I will have increased my activity level by 30 minutes each day by the end of this month" is a realistic goal that also has a specific timeframe attached to it.

3. Write down your resolutions and put them somewhere visible.

This will help keep them front and center in your mind and remind you of your set goals.

4. Tell people about your resolutions.

Having others hold you accountable is a great way to make sure you stay on track.

This is the time of year when many of us reflect on the past twelve months and set our intentions for the new year.

One way to begin is by setting small, baby-step, achievable goals, rather than trying to overhaul your life all at once. This is where resolutions come in. They give us something to obtain. By breaking them down into smaller goals, we're more likely to achieve them.

When it comes to setting resolutions, be specific and write them down. "Get in shape" is a good intention, but it's not very specific. "Run a marathon" is more specific, and it's something you can measure and track your progress on.

Another key to achieving your resolutions is to make sure they're meaningful to you. If they're not, you're less likely to follow through with them. For example, if you don't like going to the gym, then "get in shape" isn't going to be a meaningful goal for you.

But if your resolution is "spend more time with family," then that's something you're likely to stick with because it's important to you.

You might be wondering how you can create long-term habits that will last beyond the month of January. One thing you can do is to visualize yourself accomplishing your goal.

See yourself succeeding. See yourself following through with a new habit, week after week, month after month. As you visualize yourself accomplishing your goal, say an affirmation out loud or in your head that reflects what you want to achieve.

For example, if your goal is to eat healthier, you might say to yourself, "I am making healthy food choices that nourish my body." Or if you want to exercise more, you might say, "I am taking care of my body by moving my body in ways that feel good."

By visualizing yourself succeeding and saying affirmations that reflect your goal(s), you are planting the seeds of success in your mind, which will help you create a long-term habit.

Follow a simple process that is actually pretty simple:

1. Determine what areas of your life you want to improve.

This could be your health, your finances, your relationships, your career or any other area that you feel needs some attention.

2. Once you've decided on the areas you want to focus on, it's time to set some goals.

But not just any goals - SMART goals.

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. In other words, your goals should be clear and attainable so that you can actually track your progress.

3. Create a plan of action.

This is where you'll decide what steps you need to take in order to achieve your goals. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, your action plan might involve making healthier food choices and exercising more regularly.

4. Put your plan into action and start working towards your goal(s).

Remember to stay motivated and focused, and before you know it, you'll be reaching those new year resolutions in no time.

You’ve probably tried to break an unhealthy habit before and failed. And you’re not alone. Most people who try to go cold turkey end up relapsing. But there is hope.

The key to success is baby steps. You’re not going to be able go from smoking a pack a day to zero overnight, but you can start by cutting back. And once you’ve gotten used to smoking less, you can set your sights on quitting altogether.

The same goes for other unhealthy habits like overeating, drinking or biting your nails. Start by cutting back on how much you do it and then set a goal to cease completely.

It’s also important to have a plan for what you’re going to do instead of your old habits. When you have down time, what are you going to do instead of smoke? When you get a craving, what are you going to eat instead of that bag of chips? When you’re stressed, what are you going to do instead of bite your nails?

Having a plan will help you stay on track when the going gets tough. So make sure to take the time to figure out what works for you.

Wondering where to even begin is perfectly normal: Changing our habits is difficult, but not impossible.