2020 has definitely been a tough year, and we couldn’t be happier that it’s over. Being that we’re fresh into the new year, we are presented with a golden opportunity to have a better year than what we just had.
To set us up for success in 2021, it’s good to have resolutions to guide us as we try to change our lives for the better. However, the problem with New Year’s resolutions is that they jump straight to these big and seemingly insurmountable goals that are actually difficult to see through. For example, we say, “In 2021, I’m going to lose 30 pounds,” without setting any specific targets on how we can achieve such a goal.
As a result, according to a Forbes survey, only about 8% of people who make resolutions follow through on them. To prevent yourself from joining this statistic, you’ve got to specify the actual steps you have to take to get there.
Additionally, here are five strategies you can do to help yourself succeed in the resolutions you set for 2021:
Set flexible resolutions
The first step you need to take is to set resolutions that are flexible in nature. Aiming for the moon might see you landing on the stars if you fail, but you might also freefall straight to the ground. For example, if your goal for the new year is to gain 20 pounds to achieve normal weight, you might want to set a lower-end target like 15 pounds, while keeping 20 pounds as your higher target. This way, you will feel accomplished when you gain 15 more pounds, but you may still continue challenging yourself until you reach the higher target you set.
The goal of setting flexible resolutions is not to give you a free pass not to work as hard as you can to achieve goals. It’s to make you realize that every goal is a journey, and milestones must be celebrated, so long as it gets you a step closer to the goal.
Start meditating
Achieving resolutions requires focus and a commitment to quelling your negative inner voice. Meditation is a great way to achieve this. Yoga may be well-known for its calming and relaxing effect, but primarily, meditation is all about giving your mind focus by cutting through the mental clutter and quieting the noise of the world to zero-in only on what’s important.
By achieving this laser-like focus, you can find it easier to work on your goals without succumbing to life’s many distractions.
Invest in yourself
Things can get pretty rough if you expect yourself to achieve great things without investing a little bit of capital in yourself. For instance, if your goal is to get a promotion and you already know that your workplace requires a postgraduate degree for higher-level positions, you’d be wishing in vain for a promotion if you don’t get a Master’s or a Ph.D.
If you want to lose weight, you’re going to have to spend a bit on healthier foods, a gym membership, and also some good, quality sportswear and accessories that will really help you have a great time working out.
Have an accountability buddy
Resolutions may be challenging, but nothing is too challenging if you have other people to share the burden with. Having a buddy or a group to share goals with so that you may periodically check on each other’s progress as the year unfolds is very beneficial. It feels good to share the good news with your accountability buddy/buddies, so you will be motivated to work harder to achieve progress with your goals.
Sure, it might add a little pressure to your resolutions, but a little pressure can’t hurt if it gives you a little push towards the things you want to achieve.
Reward yourself for wins
This last point is very important. You have an uphill climb ahead of you in ticking your New Year’s resolutions one by one. It will get tiring, but one thing that can keep you going is positive reinforcement. Reward yourself for small wins that put you on the right path, such as losing your first pound or submitting your application for a work promotion. These things may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but if you don’t reward yourself for them, you might end up feeling like you’re not making any progress towards achieving your resolutions. Giving yourself credit for taking small steps is how you get to your destination at the end of the day.
Now you’re ready to face the new year with any resolutions you might have in mind. Be not afraid of the discouraging statistic of how many people fail in their resolutions every year. With these strategies in your arsenal, you stand a great chance of success in 2021.