How To Make Your Resolutions Stick

Most New Year’s resolutions are kind of BS. Most people vow to lose 10 pounds or quit drinking and by February 1st they’re crying into a plate of wings and their third pint of beer. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

If you want to make this year the best one you’ve ever had, try these ideas to make meaningful and lasting change.

Make Small Changes

Making big goals in business (and in life) is the only way to be, in my opinion. When it comes to resolutions and personal changes though, it is a different story. We are far more likely to create new habits if we don’t have to do a full 180 overnight. If your resolution is to wake up earlier, get up 15 or 20 minutes earlier each week. Easing into your resolutions with bite-size steps could be the key to making lasting change.

Focus On The Process, Not The Outcome

Achieving a goal is incredibly rewarding, but if we are killing ourselves to get there, is it really making us happy? Being miserable every day until THE day a goal is met is no way to live. And once we get to that goal, is everything really different? Will we be completely fulfilled? Not likely. If your goal is to lose 20 pounds and you’re sacrificing pretty much everything in your life – meals out with friends, anything with a sprinkling of sugar, cheese! – will seeing your ideal number on the scale really make you happy? Sure you can fit into smaller jeans, but no one is going to see you in them when you’re passing up girl’s night because wine isn’t in your meal plan. Instead, focus on the process of getting to your goals. Find fitness activities you enjoy and look forward and make them a part of your routine. Find the joy in scouring Pinterest for healthy recipes you can cook. Focus on creating habits that make you happy now, not 10 weeks from now.

The truth is our world doesn’t magically change once we reach a goal. Happiness from achieving outcomes is fleeting. Being fully present in the journey is the best way to feel truly fulfilled. If your business isn’t where you want it to be today, it is really easy to be bummed out about where you’re at and constantly dreaming of the future when things will be better. Instead, focus on what you have now and be fully present in it. Keep working for what you want. Make your journey more meaningful to you and you will get there faster.

Put It In Your Calendar

Just writing down your goals makes you a helluva lot more likely to achieve them, and scheduling them in is even better. Put a few blocks in your calendar each week to work on your goals, whether it’s to head to the gym or work on your e-book, and treat it like an actual appointment. You wouldn’t skip a meeting with a client so don’t skip these! You will find yourself surprised at how much you can accomplish in a few hours each week when you set the time aside.

Just Keep Going

Sometimes we mess up. We’re human. We are guaranteed to have little fumbles along the way. When this happens, acknowledge it and move on. Don’t give up! One failure does not mean the whole plan is a failure. Keep going. Tomorrow is another day and another chance to be who you are meant to be.

---

We can make big things happen with just a few small tweaks. I hope these ideas help your resolutions to stick this year.

How do you make your resolutions stick?