Making New Year’s Resolutions to Set You Up for Success
It is natural to want to live a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life. With the ending of one year, and the beginning of a new one, now is the perfect time to make these life-affirming changes. But making meaningful changes in your life is difficult. If you are like most people who find themselves consistently making and breaking New Year’s resolutions, you know the frustration and the feeling of hopelessness this can cause. Break the cycle of broken New Year’s resolutions, and make 2018 the year of personal growth by following these tips:
- Take ownership of your resolutions. Make sure your resolutions are actually what you want. Many well-meaning friends and family members may suggest parts of your life which they think need to be different. Changing yourself is hard enough; it’s even more challenging to change just to please another person.
- Avoid making your resolutions about sacrifice. Instead of concentrating on what you’re losing, think about what you’ll be gaining if you are able to stick to your resolutions. Keeping your thoughts positive will give you the motivation you need to succeed.
- Choose a New Year’s resolution with a clear actionable goal. Instead of vague resolutions, such as vowing to eat healthier or being more open to new experiences, create concrete goals you can measure. Promise yourself you will bring a homemade meal to the office three times a week, or you will finally sign up for the pottery class you always wanted to try.
- Go slow. Making a major life change takes time. There is no need to put additional pressure on yourself by expecting changes to happen overnight. When you create your New Year’s resolution you should not set a deadline for success. When reversing a lifelong habit, every small step in the right direction is a win.
- Be kind to yourself. Avoid creating a penalty if you are unable to meet your resolution. Setting a punishment for failure reinforces negativity, and it only makes it harder to achieve your goals. Never allow someone to tie your inability to keep a New Year’s resolution to ending a personal relationship.
- Seek out assistance. You don’t have to do it alone. Tell others your plans, and develop a supportive group of individuals who will help you succeed. Building your support network as early as you can, will increase your chance of staying on track.
Making a New Year’s resolution is a great first step to change your life for the better. Many people find speaking with a professional, supportive therapist can play an essential part in helping them make the life changes they desire. If you live in the Las Vegas area and would like to speak with a therapist, contact Kayenta Therapy at 702-438-7800.
