New Years Resolution Check In

 

We often see January as a fresh start - a clean slate to put new actions in place and set goals for a better life. It seems like just yesterday we were spending time with friends and family, toasting in the New Year and then suddenly, we find ourselves in March - well-entrenched into the year ahead.

Unfortunately, by March, we can find that any new goals we've made can be slipping away into the back of our minds as we get back to work and old habits start to creep in. Research has shown that about half of all adults make New Year's resolutions. But, fewer than 10% actually follow through for more than a few months (1).

According to this article (2), March might even be the best time to make New Year's resolutions. The theory is that sighting our goals on January 1st, then giving ourselves eight weeks to get through the craziness of holidays and settling into the year, means we can more realistically put actions in place to last throughout the year.

With most of the year still to go and more than enough time to make positive changes, now is a great time to reassess our resolutions and get back on track. So, what are some things we can do to steer ourselves back towards a 2020 we can be genuinely proud of?

Here are some of our go-to tips for a New Years Resolution check-in:

Take a good look at your goals

Were they realistic? We can easily set ourselves up for failure if we expect too much of ourselves.

Limit the self-judgement

We need to be kind to ourselves before we do anything else, so it pays to remember that we set ourselves these goals to benefit us, not to beat ourselves up over.

Practice some mindfulness

Research has shown that meditation and mindfulness can reduce stress (3). With less stress, we become more motivated and driven to achieve our goals.

Track your progress

Short-term goals are easier to keep, and each small accomplishment will help keep you motivated.

Reward yourself

Celebrate those success' by treating yourself to something you enjoy that doesn't contradict your resolution. Celebrating small wins will help keep that fire burning.

Plan some time-out

Making sure we have little breaks and treats to look forward to throughout the year can help us stay motivated and more likely to stick to the hard work.

Declutter your workspace or home

Having a clean, tidy space will leave you less stressed and overwhelmed and create more headspace to keep things on track.

Share your goals

Or even team up with a friend who shares your intentions so you can both encourage one another. It's amazing how motivating a little friendly accountability can be!

Sources:

  1. Auld Lang Syne: Success Predictors, Change Processes, and Self-Reported Outcomes of New Year's Resolvers and Nonresolvers
  2. q92hv - You Should Start Your New Year's Resolutions on March 4th - Here's Why
  3. Science Daily - Changes in stress after meditation

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