Each year, millions of Americans make New Years’ Resolutions. They swear to themselves that they are going to change in the new year, that starting January 1st, they are going to stick to new diets, new workout plans, or new ways of living.
And each year, millions of Americans fail to achieve their resolutions. As life gets busier and as more time goes by, they just can’t stick with their plan, and those resolutions fall by the wayside.
Now that one week of 2023 has passed, we’ll give you some tips on how to stick with your plan for the next 51 weeks, and finally achieve those resolutions that you made in 2022.
Small steps for a long journey
Change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a long, complicated process, one that spans multiple months and requires many, many steps. If those steps aren’t plotted out, if there’s no direction, it can become easy to get lost, easy to veer from the trail and lose sight of the bigger picture.
Therefore, it’s important to have a plan – an idea of how you will achieve your goal and the steps that you must take in order to do so. For example, if your goal is to run a marathon, you won’t be able to just wake up and run all 26 miles without training. You’ll have to work up to it. First, you’ll run five miles. Then you’ll run ten miles. Then 15 miles, working upward until you can run all 26.2 miles.
No matter the goal, you’ll need to approach it similarly. By breaking it down into these shorter steps, you have something obtainable to work for, and you can see progress coming. You’ll also be able to establish a routine and eventually, take those small steps that make up your long journey.
Put your goal out there
Accountability is key to meeting your goals, to achieving your resolutions. But accountability can be tough, especially when you haven’t become used to a new routine. That one cheat day may turn into a cheat week, which may keep snowballing until all of a sudden, your goals are out of reach and you’re back at square one.
That’s why it’s important to externalize those ideas, to put them out in the open so that they’re not just in your head. Tell a friend, write them down, or even better, do both. Having an accountability partner can help you stay on the right path and can provide someone to steer you back when you deviate. Meanwhile, writing down your goals is proven to improve your chances of achieving them.
Think of this as one of your first steps toward achieving your resolution.
Celebrate each milestone
Let’s be honest, working toward a goal can seem like a grind, and sometimes it’s hard to see the end. Going back to the marathon example, being able to run ten miles is only half of your final goal, but it’s still a big achievement.
When you’re working toward a final goal, it’s easy to ignore those small steps, to just write them down as another box checked off. Yet they matter, they’re important. More than that, they’re a crucial part of your success. You accomplished something, and your work is paying off.
It’s cause for celebration.
So, eat some ice cream or let yourself take a day off. You deserve it. Just don’t take your eyes off your final goal.
At Sagora Senior Living, we’re committed to resident wellness. Our Resident First philosophy means that we are there to support those within our 61 communities , and we’re there to make sure that they can achieve their goals, whatever they may be.
At our communities, you’ll find chef-prepared, restaurant-quality meals that are nutritious and delicious. You’ll also find fitness areas and team members who are there to help you whenever you need it.
With us at your side, you’ll be sure to achieve those resolutions!