This blog originally appeared on Maria Haymandou’s website here.
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How many of you have started a New Year’s resolution — and kept it all year long? Anyone? Resolutions always seem like they’re difficult to keep. Life can get in the way, things change, or sometimes you lose momentum. No wonder 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. In fact, with this statistic, it’s no surprise that many people don’t bother to make a resolution at all!
Don’t fall into the trap of failure. You want to be in the 20 percent of people who’s resolutions make it to February. But how do you do it? Read below for my tips to make your resolution last.
Make It Manageable
Have you heard the expression “don’t bite off more than you can chew?” This phrase applies here. If you want to have success with your New Year’s resolution, you need to take small, but manageable steps to achieve your goals.
For example, if your goal is to lose 50 pounds, it will be hard to keep your mind focused on a goal that will take quite a long time to achieve. Instead, tell yourself that you would like to lose 10 pounds. Once you’ve reached you’re smaller, more manageable goal, you’ll be able to up your momentum to 20, 30, 40, then finally 50 pounds. Not only is the goal more manageable, but you will gain more self-confidence along the way!
Forgive Yourself
Was your resolution last year to start your side-hustle? Did you achieve your goal? If not, did you forgive yourself? Sometimes life just gets in the way, and it will throw you for a loop. Don’t put yourself down too much if you don’t achieve your resolution. After all, you may want to pick it back up another time!
Find a Schedule that Works for You
One of the best ways to keep a resolution is to block out time each day (or every other day!) for your dedicated activity. However, you want to make sure it’s time that works for your lifestyle. If you’re not a morning person, don’t force yourself to wake up even earlier than you have to achieve your goal — vice versa if you’re not a night owl.
Are you ready to start 2018 off on the right track?
Maria Haymandou 