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Every time a new year rolls around, millions of people decide to use the new calendar date as a catalyst to get fit, quit bad habits, save money or accomplish any other goal. But a few weeks into the new year, people tend to lose motivation and don’t stick to their New Year’s resolutions. It is important to note that you shouldn’t feel any guilt for adjusting your resolutions, if anything, doing so allows you to create a plan that fits into your lifestyle more appropriately. Let’s say you decided to work out every weekday in 2023 but come to realize that Wednesdays and Fridays are just too busy with classes and club meetings. Now is the perfect time to adjust your goal to three times a week now that you’ve seen what your schedule is like. This way you stay motivated and don’t feel like you’re “failing,” which is one of the main reasons people give up on their resolutions.
With the end of the first month of 2023 quickly approaching, here are some steps you can take to ensure you don’t abandon your New Year’s resolutions.
Make sure your goals are specific and not too vague
Many times New Year’s resolutions are ambiguous goals that provide little concrete direction, think “save money,” “lose weight,” or “be more productive”. With goals this large and broad, it is easy to lose motivation, especially if you don’t succeed right away. Instead, try to narrow your resolution down into a more specific, manageable and achievable goal. For example, instead of “lose weight,” adjust your resolution to “work out three times a week,” or “cook healthy meals at home on weeknights.” Creating more specific goals makes it easier to manage and keep track of your progress.
Don’t make a bunch of resolutions, stick to one or two
A new year feels like a new beginning and it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of making an entire list of resolutions. While it is great to want to become the best version of yourself, this is an easy way to burn out. You are more likely to succeed if you choose one or two of those resolutions on your list and create a plan on how to stick to them. With January coming to an end, this is the perfect time to re-evaluate how the first month went and to figure out which resolutions you want to prioritize.
Get a friend to do the buddy system with you, it’s a win-win!
Having a support system is so important with anything you do but especially when trying to stick to New Year’s resolutions. A family member or friend can hold you accountable for sticking to your goals, and it’s even better if they join in on them with you. This way you can motivate each other and encourage one another to persevere even when things may get difficult! There are also plenty of clubs and organizations you can join both on campus and online where you are sure to find people with similar goals.
