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‘Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.’

scrabble tiles that read happy new year
photo by Sincerely Media

It’s that time of year again – the start of a new year, and with it comes the opportunity to set new goals and resolutions. Whether you want to lose weight, save money, or learn a new skill, the beginning of the year is a natural time to reflect on what you want to accomplish.

However, it’s no secret that new year’s resolutions can be hard to stick to. According to a study by the University of Scranton, less than 8% of people achieve their new year’s resolutions. Luckily, there are steps you can take to be part of that successful 8%.  

Why Is It So Hard To Stick To Your New Year’s Resolutions?

There are several reasons why people forget about their New Year’s resolutions. If you find yourself abandoning your goals, it could be due to:

A lack of motivation. Especially if your resolution requires significant changes to your lifestyle or habits.

Insufficient planning. It is easy to lose sight of your goals if your plans are unclear.

Overly ambitious goals. Unrealistic goals are demotivating, especially if you can not see any progress.

A lack of accountability. This allows you to make excuses or give up on your resolutions.  

Making A Change

Here are some tips to help you follow through with your new year’s resolutions and make lasting changes in your life:

Be as specific as possible.  Rather than resolving to “exercise more,” set a specific goal such as “exercise for 30 minutes at least three times a week.” This gives you a clear target to aim for and makes it easier to track your progress.

text surrounded by yellow note posts. Text reads I am a woman on a mission to...
photo by Valentina Conde

Make a plan. Once you have your goal in mind, break it down into smaller, more manageable steps. Then, determine what action you need to take to achieve each small step. For example, if your goal is to save money, your plan might include creating a budget, cutting back on expenses, and saving money each month.

Keep track of your progress. Always track your progress along the way, including small achievements that contribute to the overall goal. Remember, even small achievements can be a great source of motivation.

Find accountability. Have someone else to keep you accountable and motivate you to achieve your goals. It could be a friend, family member, coach or mentor. Having someone to check in with and report your progress to can help you stay on track and avoid getting sidetracked.

Be Kind To yourself. Setbacks and failures are a normal part of the process. So, do not get discouraged if you don’t see immediate progress or if you slip up along the way. Instead, use these setbacks to learn and adjust your approach.

Stay flexible. Life can be unpredictable, So it is important to be flexible with your goals. In case something goes wrong, you can reassess and adjust your goals as you go. Just be sure to keep your ultimate goal in mind and stay focused.

Handwritten calligraphy note that reads "and so the adventure begins"
photo by I’m Nik

As the saying goes, 

‘What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.’

So bring some determination and positive energy, and remember to bet on yourself. 

Cheers to 2023!