Remember those 2023 resolutions you made back in December? You may have completely forgotten them. Or maybe you are holding strong? Or perhaps are struggling against the odds to keep the promise to definitely start reading more books this year. Wherever you are with that, there are simple things you can do to help yourself to succeed with forming new habits and keeping them.
- Start small: Instead of trying to make huge changes in your life all at once, start with small, manageable goals to slowly form a habit over time. For example, if your resolution is to exercise more, start by committing to a 15-minute walk every day, and then gradually increase the duration and intensity over time. Starting small will make it easier for you to commit to the goal, and overtime will become a habit. The trick is to start by making it nearly impossible to not be able to achieve your goal.
- Make a clear plan: Write down your resolution or new habit and make a plan to achieve it. Break it down into smaller, actionable steps and set deadlines for yourself. For example, if your resolution is to drink less, be clear with yourself about what this means. Does this mean cutting down by one drink a week, or one drink a night? How will you know if you have achieved your goal? Having a plan will give you a more clear roadmap to follow and will increase the chances of success. This plan should also include the reason you want to achieve the goal and what it would mean for you to achieve it.
- Track your progress: Keep a journal or use an app to track your progress. This will help you stay motivated and see how far you’ve come. It will also help you identify areas where you need to improve and make adjustments to your plan. A great (and free) app for this is Daylio which you can also use to track your mood and see how your goal impacts your mood over time.
- Get an accountability partner: Find someone who will hold you accountable for your resolution, goal or habit. This could be a friend, family member, or even an online community. Having someone to check in with will help you stay on track and stay motivated. It is also a great way to share your progress and get support when you need it. Finding someone that is trying to achieve the same goal or form the same habit may help to improve your chances of success.
- Reward yourself: Give yourself small rewards for achieving milestones. This will help keep you motivated and make the process more enjoyable. For example, if your resolution is to read more, treat yourself to a new book when you finish one.
By following these tips, you can form habits and stick to your New Year’s resolutions in 2023.
Remember:
- Be patient with yourself, as making changes take time
- It’s never too late to start again; slipping up doesn’t make you a failure.
- Learn from the experience of habit setting; did goal setting work? Does it work for you to have an ‘accountability person’, or not? Refining your plan based on what you learn about yourself increases the chances of success.
