With 2021 here before we could even blink, 2020 will certainly be a year to remember.
Perhaps you have come to a point where you have a little pep talk with yourself and have decided enough is enough, or maybe you just want to have a better year than the last. For whatever your reasons for making resolutions there are some great ways to make sure you make resolutions that last.
So you want to run a marathon but have never run more than 5k, you want to quit smoking but the thought is so daunting. Maybe you want to go back to study or get that promotion at work.
They are all big dreams which is a great place to start. Write down your ultimate goals, once you have them you can start on the smaller goals. Planning is key, if you have a plan you can stick to you can set yourself achievable goals, that way even hitting the first few small goals can build your confidence to a level where you keep going and it can give you that thirst for success.
Ensure you understand your resolutions and make sure it is something you actually want rather than something you really don’t want. A great way to truly understand why you want/need it to change is to work out why you are sticking to the old habits in the first place, for example; microwave meals are much easier than cooking from scratch, or I smoke because I am stressed.
Once you get to the bottom of why your current habits are currently so easy, that is when you can start to make and introduce the small changes and have the best chance of success with New Year’s Resolutions.
Here are some tips to help you succeed:
• Be Realistic but dream big – strive for small goals that are attainable, such as eating a
particular food in moderation, or taking up a new sport gradually. With the end goal being your resolution.
• Dealing with Temptation – decide how you will deal with temptation, e.g. calling on a friend or family member for help.
• Make a “Pros” and “Cons” List – it may help to see a list of items on paper to keep you
motivated. Refer to it when you need help keeping your resolve.
• Talk About It – tell friends & family who can help support you.
• Reward Yourself – celebrate your success by treating yourself to something you enjoy that doesn’t contradict your resolution.
• Track Your Progress – note down each small success to keep you motivated.
• Don’t Beat Yourself Up – obsessing over the occasional slip won’t help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take one day at a time.
• Stick to It – it can take about 21 days for a new activity to become a habit and 6 months to become part of your personality, so be persistent and patient!
• Keep Trying – if you’ve run out of steam by mid-February, don’t despair. Start again for 24 hours at a time and you’ll soon be back on track!
If you feel you may need some support, you can contact Care first. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.
If you would like further hints and tips on ‘Making realistic New Year’s resolutions’ join us for a discussion live on the Tuesday 5th January at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4875437279205720336
If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.