How to stick to your new year’s resolutions and have the best year ever, even during a pandemic.
Jan 01, 2022
I love the new year, not the parties and the hubbub. I love it because it is a natural space to pause, reflect, and dream about the future. And I absolutely love new year’s resolutions. They are like the first blank page in a new journal or the first piece of a delicious dessert. It is a chance to look forward to the year and create what you desire most.
Some of you out there might dislike new year’s resolutions. You might say, what’s the point? You might cite all the people who stop trying to fulfill their resolutions by February, or even March if they are lucky. And you would not be wrong. Just look at the volume of people at the gym in January compared to March.
Whether you are a lover or hater of new year’s resolutions, I hope you find some of these tips useful while thinking about the exciting year ahead in 2022.
Why do most people give up their new year's resolutions?
1. Your resolutions don't reflect the real you
Most people dream up this idealized and unrealistic version of themselves. One that is not fun and requires a lot of work. They can stick to it for a month or so while their motivation is high. But when the novelty wears off, they give up. And can you blame them? Do you want a year of torture, deprivation, and work? Hell no.
2. Your resolutions come from the mindset of lacking.
Most people look at what they didn’t want or achieve in the last year and create their new year's resolutions based on what they don’t have. This has you starting the new year thinking that there is something wrong with you or you are lacking in some way. You may have had success browbeating yourself to achieve your goals in the past. But in the end, you are left thinking crappy thoughts about yourself.
3. You create too many resolutions.
Most people take this time to overhaul their entire life. So they resolve to lose weight, spend more time with the kids, get their work done on time, etc. This leads you to create exhausting schedules that are not sustainable. Plus, nothing ever really gets done when you focus a little bit on many things.
4. You give up because you "failed."
If you need a refresher on failure, check out this post. Most people make their new year's resolutions pass/fail. And so if you don't get it right on the first try, you make it mean that something is wrong with you or you will never be able to achieve your goals.
Now, what steps can you take to keep your new years' resolution?
1. Celebrate your awesomeness!
Look back on the past year and reflect on all the amazing things you have accomplished. This can be anything from landing a big promotion at work to making it through 2 years of a pandemic and getting dressed most days. Big or small it all totally counts. This brings all of your good qualities to the top of your mind. What it took to achieve those accomplishments is what is going to help you succeed this yea
2. Know your core values.
Who are you? When do you feel the most you? What are your strengths? What are the ways you really shine and contribute? These core values are things that you already are, even if you may have forgotten them. When you make resolutions based on what you truly value, sticking to them feels natural and easy.
3. Restrain yourself.
Pick one resolution to start off the year. You may have a list of resolutions, but you will only focus on one at a time. Which one should you pick? It really doesn't matter. The things you learn and do to achieve one resolution will spill over into all aspects of your life.
4. Stop "failing."
No seriously! You are literally just making stuff up and guessing where to start. Don't make not sticking to your plan a failure. Don't make it mean something negative about you. Re-read your accomplishment list and core values again to get you back in the right headspace. Nothing went wrong; you just guessed wrong. Guess again and try another tactic.
Ready for your New Year? Click here to get your free New Year's Resolution Worksheet.
So what did you accomplish last year? What are you resolving to do this year?