2015 Resolutions: Tips On Sticking To Your Guns
It’s that time of year again… and no, not the cookie-baking-present-wrapping,-family-get-together time of year. We mean the result of all that pastry indulgence, turkey basting, and routine slipping – resolutions time.
We all look to the 2015 year with good intentions and optimism for our New Year’s Resolutions, but how often do we actually stick to them? Less often than you’d like? That’s what we thought. So to help you (and us!) be better prepared for the temptation of resolution abandonment, the Chiropractic Health Tips Team has put together a formula with will help you to stay happy, healthy and committed in the new year.
1. FIND SOMEONE TO HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE
The reason so many of our New Year’s Resolutions get abandoned in the early stages is that we aren’t putting them down on paper, and we aren’t sharing them with anyone –we’re just not accountable! Share your resolutions with a couple trusted companions who aren’t afraid to be honest with you, and call you out when you’re slacking! Be careful to not tell too many people though – doing so can risk impacting the pleasure centers in your brain, making you feel like you’ve already accomplished your goals! And that wouldn’t be very motivating – now would it?
2. S.M.A.R.T. GOALS
Creating S.M.A.R.T goals is the secret to the success of any goal, but often we don’t take the time to establish them. There’s no point in saying you want to lose 10 pounds, or spend more time with your family, if you don’t establish goals that are: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. So break out that pencil and paper, and start thinking about what you really want in the New Year.
S (SPECIFIC)
Specific goals are more likely to be achieved than those that are vague; be certain that the resolutions you are setting for yourself are precise and definitive. To do so, think about things like: what specifically you want to accomplish, why you are choosing to pursue this goal, and what is involved in the process. Map the process out by writing these things down somewhere you can see them every day, so that you can be reminded of your what, why and hows.
M (MEASURABLE)
Figure out how you are going to measure your resolutions, and how you will know when you achieve them. When it comes to something like “lose 10 pounds”, you can measure your progress quickly and easily. As for something like “spending more time with family,” you’ll probably want to schedule time in your daily routine and keep a journal. Additionally, you can be more mindful to take more pictures together, and work on a scrapbook throughout the year to measure the time you’ve spent all together. By consistently measuring and tracking your progress, you will be more likely to stay on course and not give up.
A (ATTAINABLE)
It’s incredibly important to set goals for yourself that you feel can actually achieve. This allows you to start off your resolutions on the right foot, and with an optimistic attitude. Entering into your resolutions like this allows you to grow, which is why you set them in the first place – isn’t it?
R (REALISTIC)
Similar to setting attainable goals, you need to set resolutions that are realistic for you to achieve. If they’re not realistic, you’re not going to find the motivation, or the work ethic, in yourself to achieve them! One way to figure out if a goal is realistic is by asking yourself if you have ever achieved something of this magnitude in the past, or if the types of things you need to do to achieve it are practical in your current situation.
T (TIMELY)
Finally, all well-set resolutions should be established with a time frame. This time frame lights the fire under you to get the move on these resolutions – and before 2016 rolls around.
These are our favourite tips to sticking to your guns this New Years. So when you’re feel overwhelmed, or like you’re slowly slipping into the territory of resolution abandonment – remember to set goals that are S.M.A.R.T, and find a buddy to keep you accountable. If you stick to these tips, you’ll be on the right track to a better you in 2015!
Want to read our post about resolutions in 2014 for more great tips? Click here…
Do you have any foolproof techniques to sticking to your resolutions? Tell us about it on Facebook!