Welcome to 2021! As the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, we can all breathe a sigh of relief for the end of a hectic and unpredictable year. No matter if you love or hate 2020, the start of a new year allows for ample opportunities and a chance for a fresh start. You are no longer defined by the choices you made in the past. It is time for you to goal set and discover the best version of yourself. In last week’s blog, we discussed the importance of reflecting on 2020 before creating your own New Year’s Resolutions. Now that you have reevaluated your life choices this past year, it is time to prioritize what is important for you to achieve this upcoming year.
Make sure to read last week’s blog by clicking here before continuing to read!
As much as you may want to achieve your goals this year, it is sometimes difficult to stay on track. So how do you stick to your New Year’s Resolutions? Here are three tips and tricks on how to achieve your goals and fight the temptation to quit.
Ways To Stick To Your New Year’s Resolutions
- Become A Part Of An Accountability Group
It is not always easy to keep yourself accountable for your actions. Sometimes we become neglectful and let your resolutions slip away. By creating an accountability group, you will have others reminding you the importance of reaching your goals. For example, if you set a goal of going to the gym four days a week, create a group chat with others that have a similar resolution and encourage each other throughout the process. The more people who are with you on your health journey, the more you will be motivated and stay committed to reaching your ambitions.
- Keep A Weekly Journal And Write Down All Of Your Achievements And Failures
Having a journal where you write down your goals and ambitions is another way to keep yourself accountable. According toDr. Gail Matthews, a clinical psychologist at the Dominican University in California, you are 62% more likely to achieve a goal that you write down. When you physically write down your New Year’s Resolutions, your brain receives a signal to make your objective a priority. This will cause your mind to immediately think of ways to overcome any obstacles that may be in your way. You will also become more focused and committed to achieving your desires.
- Don’t Create Goals That Are Too Ambitious; Be Realistic
As important as it is to reach for the stars when goal setting, creating unrealistic ambitions will cause you to lose motivation. Don’t be afraid to make long term goals, but be sure to place a few short term objectives throughout your journey. For example, if you want to run a marathon by the end of 2021 make sure you complete a 5k, 10k, and half marathon before running the full 26.2 miles. This will not only allow you to physically track your progress but also make the end marathon seem more obtainable overtime.
Do you need help learning how to create realistic ambitions this New Year’s? Click here to discover how to make obtainable short and long term goals.
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Call 301-869-1787 or click here to set up an appointment as my free gift to you.
Source:
Gardner, Sarah and Albee, Dave, “Study focuses on strategies for achieving goals, resolutions” (2015). Press Releases. 266. https://scholar.dominican.edu/news-releases/266
To your Joy and Health,
Kay Loughrey, MPH, RDN, LDN
This blog post was written by Bailee Richman, Dietetics Student from the University of Maryland
