How to set a realistic New Year's Resolution

If I’m being completely honest, I don’t even remember what my New Year’s Resolutions were for 2017. I’m assuming save money was somewhere on the list, as well as ‘lose the fifteen pounds you’ve been meaning to for the past eight months.’ The problem with New Year’s Resolutions is for the most part, they’re never realistic; they’re either goals that will take way more than a year, or they’re just not practical. In order to stick to your New Year’s Resolutions, you need to have an attack plan, and they need to be within the realm of possibility. If you’re determined to stick with your New Year’s Resolutions, here are some tips to help you set a realistic New Year’s Resolution:

SET SMALLER GOALS

Long-term goals are comprised of several, smaller short-term goals. You can’t go from manager to CEO in a day! If your goal is to run a marathon by the end of 2018, but you can barely run a 5K now, maybe adjust your goal to running a half marathon by the end of 2018. Training plans for marathon beginners assume you can already run a minimum of three miles! Setting smaller goals/adjusting your goals allows for you to more easily reach them; it’s discouraging facing Mt. Everest compared to facing a small hill.

FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO MAKE IT HAPPEN, AND MAKE A PLAN OF ACTION

What do you need to achieve your goal? Whether it be a new pair of running shoes or a new journal, figure out what is integral to achieving your goal. Look at your schedule and find time to integrate your resolution into your daily life. 

CREATE A TIMELINE

Having a deadline to work toward makes your resolution tangible. If the half marathon is your goal, sign up for one that takes place in October or November, and create milestones for yourself. Every month, have a different running goal set for yourself This will help you stay on schedule and ultimately reach your goal. 

REMEMBER WHY YOU SET YOUR RESOLUTION

Having a meaningful resolution will help you stick with it. If your goal is to lose weight; why is that your goal? Is it important to you? A resolution I’m setting for the New Year is to journal more often because I want to be able to look back on and read about my current experiences. Because that’s meaningful and important to me, I’m going to be more likely to stick to that resolution than a resolution to cut out sugar!