Keeping a New Year’s resolution can be tough. We have all failed to keep to our resolutions in the past, but we still make them year after year, because we know it is almost always worth doing.
With the new year just around the corner, we are giving you the tools you need to succeed this time around. Here are a few ways to keep motivated that will maximize your chances of meeting your next resolution:
1.) Keep Your Goals To Yourself
Conventional wisdom states that telling other people your goals can help you stay on track, because you theoretically would not want to come up short after you have told others what you were planning.
There is strong evidence to suggest otherwise, however. It seems that by telling other people of your plans and resolutions, you may already be priming the reward centers of your brain — well before you have ever managed to reach your goal. This means that most people will become less motivated to follow through on their goals if they were to share them with others.
While this knowledge may be somewhat less useful with many professional goals where you have to divulge your intentions, it can still be quite handy for personal goals that you don’t necessarily need to share with anyone.
2.) Keep A Tangible Reminder Close By
While you do not want to go around telling everyone your goals, you want some way to remind yourself of your resolutions. These items can be virtually anything, but ideally they should be something that you can take with you wherever you go.
Silicone wristbands are great for this purpose as they are waterproof and abrasion-resistant, allowing them to be used in the shower or during any strenuous activity. Check out Wristband Creation for custom wristbands that you can match to your New Year’s resolutions and your unique style.
3.) Make Your Goals Realistic
Maybe it is the holiday cheer or the liquor or a combination of those things, but one problem many of us have is to have resolutions that are loftier than we could ever expect to accomplish. While it is true that it’s important to exceed your limits, it’s better to take things a little at a time. Far too many people often quit their journey even if they have made significant progress, not seeing their successes simply because they were too focused on a goal that was never realistic, to begin with.
4.) Do Not Be Upset If You Cannot Follow Your Resolution Perfectly
Try to take the long view and consider your journey to success to be more of a marathon rather than a sprint. Forget the fact that most people give up on their resolutions after the first week. You have an entire year to reach your goals! You are not perfect, but you are trying to be better and that matters more. By contextualizing any minor setbacks in the context of your year-long journey, you are better positioned to better meet or at least come closer to your goals.
5.) Celebrate Milestones
Do not feel guilty about celebrating important gains you have made. Celebrating small victories can provide some continued motivation that may help your long-term compliance with your resolution. Denying oneself life’s simple pleasures will usually end poorly, with you ending up frustrated and less motivated to continue.
Success is almost always thanks to a series of small events and decisions that build up over time, and succeeding in your New Year’s resolutions is no different. Thankfully, there are plenty of small ways you can actively contribute to your goals, from harnessing the power of psychology and neuroscience to the simple purchase of a custom wristband. Good luck with your resolutions and have a great New Year!
