So how are those New Year’s resolutions going? Studies show that more than half of resolutions fail every year, and about a third don’t even get to February. But with 2020 having been, well, 2020, many of us have been looking forward to this new year with an even stronger sense of hope than usual. And that renewed hope has surely led to some big, new resolutions. If you set an intention for your 2021, good for you! However, your success might boil down to a few key considerations.
But don’t worry if you already feel like you’re veering off-track; it’s never too late to make a positive change or course-correct. Whether you’re making a commitment to personal or professional growth, here’s some advice that will help you give yourself the best shot at actually sticking to it.
1. Doing It For The Right Reasons. Is your resolution for you or is it because everyone else is doing it? And if you’re doing it for yourself, question where the motivation is coming from. Research suggests that motivation originating from a place of self-loathing or regret is not as powerful as motivation that comes from a genuine desire to do what’s best for yourself, so make sure your resolution is inspired by self-love.
2. Finding Purpose. Take some time to think about what actually matters most to you and how a resolution can reflect that. The more meaningful a resolution the better, and not just for your emotions— studies show that the more important a goal is to you, the more likely you are to achieve it. And while that may seem obvious, it’s important to think about when creating a resolution. Eating healthier isn’t just eating healthier— it’s providing you with more energy to pursue your passions, making you feel better for tough days at work, and maybe even protecting the environment.
3. Crafting A Measurable Resolution. Vague, abstract goals like ‘I want to wake up earlier’ or ‘I want to write more’ make it almost impossible to track progress. Identifying clear, specific goals beforehand — like wanting to wake up before 7 a.m. or writing at least 10 pages every day — not only help you see the finish line, but also help to reinforce progress as you go along day by day.
4. Tracking Progress. The best way to hold on to that ‘I’m making progress’ feeling? Tracking it. Whether it’s buying a dedicated journal to write down check-ins, ticking off days on a calendar, or even finding an app to log progress on your phone, being able to see just how far you’ve come with your goals has been proven to be one of the most effective forms of inspiration. While I’m not advocating that you dwell on the past, it sure doesn’t hurt to look back and appreciate the progress you’ve made, and the best way to do that is to provide yourself with a mechanism that lays it out in a more tangible fashion.
5. The Goldilocks Resolution. You don’t want something too small, but you also don’t want a resolution that’s way too big. An achievable goal allows you to have good days and bad days and still move forward; this will allow you to create an impactful resolution that will affect not only your 2021, but future years and resolutions to come.
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Note From Tongal: "How to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions" is part of a series of Tongal Community-written blog posts that were originally sourced in the Tongal Blog Open Call Project. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Tongal. Read more Tongal Community-written posts here and then Pitch us a topic you'd like to write about for the Tongal Blog!
