New Year’s Resolutions That Last
Written by Alexis Evans
New Year’s Boom: Making Resolutions That Last
Written by Alexis Evans
New Years is one of the few truly universal holidays. Every culture, religion and country celebrates or observes the New Year in some way. In most cultures, this important day is largely recognized as a time to create a fresh start. There’s something exhilarating about the anticipation of the unknown new year, and many use this time of year to create a set of resolutions to make changes in their life. However, most drop off of these goals by the end of January. If you truly want to see your goals through to 2027, here’s a few ways to make sure your resolutions stick.
Choose a Goal That Excites You
A surefire way to fail in your goal is to pursue something that you don’t feel truly excited about. A good way to find your joy is to discover your why. Don’t just lose weight because you want to look thinner. Strive to get healthy so you feel better, so you have more energy and feel more vibrant. Don’t look to excel in your career for prestige, do it for the fulfillment of knowing that you are working hard for your family and your future.
Write It Down
Writing down a goal can be half the battle. If you are looking to become more money conscious in 2026, it will never work for you to simply say, “I’ll just save more” or “I’ll just pay more towards this debt.” You must write down your specific goals, in a way that is tangible and measurable. Giving a name to the goal makes it real and helps you wrap your mind around ways you can accomplish it. Once the goal is named, place it somewhere you will see it every day as a reminder of what you want to accomplish for yourself. This can be on your work computer, phone screen saver, bathroom mirror, car mirror — somewhere that will be a constant reminder.
Break Large Goals Into Small Actionable Steps
Once you’ve named your goal and created your reminders, make your plan. Many will use the New Year to take the opportunity to be more intentional in their relationships. If this is you, one way to do this is to schedule a time to see a friend — either the same one or someone different — each month. Especially for those who are introverted by nature, this is a good start in giving yourself time to anticipate the social activity while adding accountability to the action. If you want to lose weight, don’t just join a gym and buy some veggies, find a fitness coach who can help you create a tangible plan that meets your goals.
Find Support
Don’t do it by yourself. Tell someone you love about your newest goals, and ask them to support you through encouragement and accountability. Too often we crash out because we feel like no one cares about what we do, but if you invest in yourself and ask others to walk alongside you, it’s a lot harder to fail.
Create a Routine
One mistake that many make in creating their resolutions is trying to change too much too soon. But even the most disorganized people have some kind of daily routine. The key is to slowly integrate your actions into your daily schedule. If your goal is to work out more, schedule a time for your workout that you know will work with your schedule. Remember, some progress is better than none.
Have Compassion for Yourself
If you ever fall off from your goal, don’t use that as an excuse to quit! Pick yourself back up, adjust your plan, and have grace for yourself. Changing your life for the better isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it.
