The start of a new year is a great time to make some positive changes that could improve your wellbeing and help you reach your goals. Have you made a new year resolution? If you have you’re not alone, but sticking to your plans can be more difficult than you think.
According to GoCompare, 23 million Brits made a new year resolution last year. But, on average, a resolution is broken in just seven weeks. Whether you want to improve your health, organise your finances, or reduce your impact on the environment, these eight tips can help you reach the end of 2022 on track.
1. Focus on one resolution
When you think about the changes you want to make, you may have several different areas you want to improve. However, building skills to secure a new job, increasing the amount of exercise you do, or learning a new hobby all at the same time can be overwhelming. To improve your chances of success, prioritise one area to focus on this year. Once your new resolution has become a habit, you may want to add other goals, but take your time and give each resolution the full attention it deserves.
2. Make a detailed plan with small steps
While you may have a single, large goal, it can seem insurmountable. Where possible, break your goal down into smaller chunks and create a detailed plan with a timeline of when you’ll reach each milestone. Remember, you’ve got 12 months to embrace the change you want to make – it’s a marathon, not a sprint. If exercising more is your goal, adding an extra 20 active minutes into your weekly schedule every month can seem a lot less daunting than starting your training programme with workouts every day.
3. Think about why you’ve failed in the past
Resolutions are often something we’ve been thinking about trying for a while, and you may have tried to make the change in the past. If this is the case, think about which mistakes mean you haven’t reached your goal before. It’s a step that can help you identify better ways of reaching your goal this time.
4. Keep your motivation in mind
Why have you settled on this resolution? What is motivating you to make this change now? There will likely be times during the year when you want to give up or skip plans in favour of something else, keeping your driving factor in mind can help you retain your focus. Having the bigger picture in mind when you first make your resolution can help keep you going even when you’re struggling.
5. Find a friend to push you
Having someone work towards the same goal can be really motivational. It can provide some friendly competition and means you have someone there to help push you that bit further. Depending on your goal, you may have family or friends that want to make the same resolution or local clubs that can offer support. Even if you don’t know someone working towards the same goal, building a support network and talking about the steps you’re taking can be beneficial.
6. Track your process
Have you defined when you’ve reached your goal? Without a measurable target, it can be hard to stay motivated and see the improvements you’re making. By tracking your progress you can see how each small step you’re taking is leading to a bigger change.
7. Celebrate your successes
When tracking your progress, don’t forget to celebrate your success. Every small step you take towards a larger goal is important and recognising each milestone can give you a boost to keep going. Whether you give yourself a treat or proudly share an update on social media, recognising the efforts you’re making can improve your mindset and the outcome.
8. Give yourself a break if you slip up
One of the reasons so many new year resolutions go unfulfilled is because when people make a mistake, they view the resolution as broken. But one or two slip-ups doesn’t mean you can’t still make the changes in your life you want. Next time you don’t stick to your plan or miss a goal, don’t give up. Instead, view it as an opportunity to learn and focus on moving forward.
Richard Fyfe is a Chartered Financial Planner and a Director of Fyfe Financial.