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A Guide To Doing Better With Your New Year Resolutions

By Oreoritse Tariemi

22 December 2021   |   12:46 pm

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If there's one thing we don't need to see going into 2022, it's those "new year, new me" quotes.  Let's be honest, while moving into a new year comes with loads of celebration as it should, the truth is it's just like every other day in a year except with a lot more hype. And…

New Year resolutions | Mental Floss

If there’s one thing we don’t need to see going into 2022, it’s those “new year, new me” quotes. 

Let’s be honest, while moving into a new year comes with loads of celebration as it should, the truth is it’s just like every other day in a year except with a lot more hype. And most of this hype comes with promises to do better and change in certain ways, “New Year resolutions,” which very often get abandoned a few weeks into the year.

Now, we’re not saying to abandon making new year resolutions ultimately; instead, our advice is to focus on more progressive things like ‘acting on’ instead of merely ‘writing down.’

Unpopular opinion, but you don’t need a set of words written in a journal that would probably find its way under your bed to remind you to act or do better; what you need to do is to make the first move towards the change you desire. 

Here’s a guide to helping you do better with your New Year resolutions in the new year:

• Start with a goal:

One detail many people forget when creating New Year resolutions is what goal they intend to achieve. Deciding to make changes with no idea why you’re making them is an effort in futility. 

The first step to doing better is to start with a broad goal defining what you want and why you want it. Two questions to ask yourself, what you like to change in your life and why you need that change. 

Next is to break these broad goals into manageable ones and how you plan to reach those goals. Think about what you want to change specifically and use that as small steps to achieving your goals in the long run. A helpful tip is to make your steps as small as possible; for instance, if your goal is to get fit, start by buying a pair of gym shoes. 

• Working towards your goal:

This is where taking action comes into play. Write up a list and start gathering the supplies you need. Start with the manageable goal that motivates you to create a rhythm you can then easily slide into. 

Next is to find an accountability partner; the truth is you’ll likely hit a few roadblocks along the way, and going through them with someone you trust would keep you motivated as you go on. 

Your accountability partner doesn’t have to be one person; it could also be a shared interest group. Remember to take things one step at a time. Rushing everything at once can be overwhelming. 

• Stay motivated:

The bulk of the work in trying to do better is staying motivated. It is very easy to get discouraged, especially when you’re not seeing progress immediately. That’s why you should keep track of your progress, starting by keeping written records of every detail, every step of the way. 

As you progress, your goals might change, become smaller or bigger depending. So you should make room for adjustments where necessary. 

Ask yourself, “How am I doing with this goal? Am I happy with my actions and their outcomes?”

Whether or not you choose to write New Year resolutions, you can still set and make personal goals you intend to achieve. What’s more important is putting the work in until you get the results you desire.