Make New Year’s Resolutions Stick
“Most people will passively do exactly what they did last year. Whatever you do, don't let that person be you.” Richie Norton
It’s that time of year again. We dislike the large number that appears when we mount the scales. We are embarrassed by the number of empty beer bottles and liquor bottles and wine bottles in the recycle bin. So, we resolve to do better.
We want before and after photos but fail to grasp the span and struggle that happens between them. Soon the road seems too long. Our willpower fades and we don’t follow through with our New Year’s resolution.
Know these two things:
There are no quick fixes nor easy paths to lasting change. It takes time, focus, and effort.
If you want it, you will make it happen.
If you desire to create a new you and make it stick, here are some helpful tactics I have found beneficial:
Prior Preparation.
“A failure to take precise and deliberate action is the reason why so many New Year’s resolutions and other goals fail.” -Jordan Ring
When I was section hiking the Appalachian Trail, I sometimes put in big mile days. Mentally preparing for that big push the night prior drilled resolve into my mind. I would wake up the following day ready to hit my mark and push through what lay ahead.
I used the same tactic when I finally decided to quit drinking. I knew it might not be easy, but that didn’t matter. I told myself this was happening, that I had to do it. I solidified the notion into my being long before I committed. I was fully prepared in mind, body, and soul to quit when the date finally came around.
Be specific.
This is no time to be vague with your resolutions. Chart out specific details of how and when each thing must be done. Start with the end goal and work backward to the one thing that can be done now.
Start small.
Save yourself disappointment and frustration by having realistic, attainable goals for the coming year. Want to get in shape? Do not start by going to the gym for 3 hours a day, seven days a week. Instead, commit to doing ten pushups a day and progress from there. Start small and get a base on which to build your newfound enthusiasm. This will help avoid burnout.
Be consistent.
Starting small makes it easier to maintain the consistent action needed to build trust in ourselves. Acts like making the bed every morning, meditating for 3 minutes, or taking a cold shower for 30 seconds compound over time. We gain confidence in ourselves when we show up every day and do the work required for long-term change.
Time and consistent effort are required to shift our core habits. It is a slow but powerful process.
Be obsessive.
The subconscious is home to our emotions and habits. When forming new habits, it is vital to reprogram this level of our being. One way we can do this is to regularly watch videos, listen to experts, and read on whatever topic we wish to explore. This keeps the fire of interest burning at a steady flame and imprints our intention for lasting change onto the subconscious.
Check-in.
Focus on the day’s resolution, not the year’s.
Stay on top of New Year’s resolutions by keeping track of your progress. Use whatever method works best for you, like planners, journals, whiteboards, accountability buddies, and life coaches. Have regular check-ins to see how you are doing and where you are.
Get after it!
Keep in mind, one year from now, you will be glad you started today. Embrace the promise of a new year and a new self. Use this arc of time to allow your new habits to sink into the very fiber of your being. Enjoy the process and trust that you are more than capable of making the changes you desire.
P.S.
If you want an extra boost of accountability, I am available for one-on-one coaching. Pick a time that works for you to get a free 30-minute consult. We will discuss where you are now, where you wish to be, and how to get there. All calls are completely confidential. I look forward to hearing from you. Happy New Year!
