The new year is a great motivator to set new goals and resolutions. However, most of us abandon these aspirations before the new month ends! So, if you want to ensure your new year resolutions stick - check out my 5 smart tips to help you succeed.

New Year, New Me! The mantra so many of us chant as we enter the new year. Filled with hope for the changes we have planned. Excited about the new year resolutions we have made. Motivated by the emotions a fresh start always brings. We all confirm, it’s out with the old and in with the new.

Then, one week later – all hope and optimism is depleted as we get caught up in the same routines as last year. Abandoning all the promises we made to ourselves, despite our conviction that this year would be different. But all hope is not lost!

If you’re already starting to give up on your new year goals, my 5 smart tips below will help you get back on track.

This quick guide will enable your new year resolutions to stick for the long term and create the changes you want to see in your life.

5 Smart Tips to Make Your New Year Resolutions Stick

1. FOCUS ON ONE GOAL

Start with only one new year resolution

The new year offer’s a fresh opportunity to do things differently. But all too often, we tend to want to start too many new resolutions at once.

Although we are full of conviction at the start of the year, the truth, is we only have a certain amount of motivation to get us through each day. When we spread our focus and energy too wide, we will eventually run out of steam.

My first smart tip is to focus on one goal at the start of the new year.

This will make sticking to your new years resolutions easier and create momentum for the months ahead by:

Focusing on one thing so you will not become overwhelmed and quit.
Planning specific actions towards this goal that fit around your other commitments.
Making it easier to monitor and adapt your actions.
Seeing the progress you are making, motivating you to keep going.

2. MAKE A PLAN

Be clear on what you want to achieve

Every successful achievement needs to have a plan. This is no different for new year resolutions. So, smart tip number 2 could be the difference between you sticking to your new year goal or abandoning it!

When you write a plan for any goal, it usually consists of the things you will have to do to accomplish that goal. However, the following questions will also aid how you go about implementing that plan:

What do you need to get going? (Time/ Equipment/ Money, etc.?)
How can you change your current routine to make success as easy as possible?
Who can help you to make these changes?
Have you got enough capacity?
What obstacles may you face? (How will you overcome them?)

Understanding exactly what you want to accomplish and any difficulties you may face, will better prepare you to stick to your plan and overcome anything that might sidetrack you. Be honest with yourself and consider the resources and time you have available when creating a plan for your goals.

3. START SMALL

Make it easy to take action

No matter how big the goal may be, breaking it down into smaller steps reduces the avoidance of taking action. Tip number 3 is all about ensuring you do not feel overwhelmed of discouraged.

Giving yourself the ability to meet your goal in small steps allows you to get as specific as you can. This makes it easier to hold yourself accountable for a specific objective within your overall plan. Starting small, builds the momentum for sticking with your new year resolution and allows you to be flexible with your overall plan.

As you adjust your actions with every small step you take, your confidence grows and your motivation will increase.

4. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS

Staying Motivated

There is nothing more motivating than seeing how far you’ve come. And, the only way to know how you’re doing is to keep track of your progress.

Tracking your progress gives that extra reassurance that you are heading in the right direction. And, as you know, I LOVE HABIT TRACKERS!! So, much so that I have many different versions available in my online store which will make visualising your progress that much easier.

Keeping track of your actions builds the evidence of the habits you are forming and will motivate you to stay on track. It’s also a great incentive for days when you feel that your motivation is dwindling.

Being able to stick to your new year resolutions will be aided by tracking your progress to reinforce the fact that you are actually on your way to succeeding. The longer you succeed, the harder it will be to suddenly give up.

5. REWARD YOURSELF

Celebrate your milestones

In your efforts towards accomplishing your new year resolution, having small rewards on the journey are great encouragements to keep you going.

But, it’s important to keep those rewards in line with your overall goals.

Let’s say your goal is to lose weight and you’re making amazing progress. Do not plan a reward around food. Instead, make it a reward that will celebrate your achievements in an empowering way, e.g. buying a smaller pair of jeans!

With every milestone you accomplish from your overall plan, build in a reward for when you hit that milestone. Something that you’ll look forward to. You deserve it and you’ll have earned it. (But make sure it does not sabotage your overall plans!)

5 Smart Tips to Make Your New Year Resolutions Stick

Everyone has struggled to make new year’s resolutions and stick to them. But it doesn’t have to be a disappointment every year.

Many times, the difference between succeeding and failing is choosing the right goal and using the best process to achieve it.

Now that I have shared my 5 smart tips to make your new year resolutions stick, you are one step closer to achieving your goals.

Just keep in mind that you need to be flexible and kind with yourself. If your current approach is not working, reevaluate your actions and develop a new plan.

Stay positive and keep things in perspective by focusing on the progress you do make, instead of any set backs.

Have you made a New Year’s resolution this year?

Let me know what it is in the comments below.

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