Forget New Years Resolutions – Set Real Goals and Make Them Stick!

Every year we make our new years resolution list excited and pumped to make changes in our lives, and at first were committed to our goals and determined to carry them out. However, within a few shorts weeks we fizzle, and by February or March (if we even last that long), were back to our old bad habits.

Did you know that half of all Americans make New Years resolutions, but only 8% actually follow through!  Thats pretty sad, but we’ve all been there and it’s easier said then done.  Instead of a resolution that won’t last past January, how about setting a goal that will be a lifestyle change that sticks!  

How can you set yourself up for success this year?

Start small and set REAL goals! 

“Go big or go home” doesn’t work with goals,  If you rarely exercise, it’s highly unlikely you will get yourself to the gym 5 days a week.

Instead, start small and make your goals attainable for you, how about starting with a goal of exercising 3 times a week?  Remember it takes at least 6 weeks to form a habit, and then you can increase the amount and time spent on that goal. 

Start with one change at a time! 

If we set a goal for multiple big changes in our lives, theres a high chance we will fail at some, if not all.  For example, if one of our goals is to take a multi-vitamin everyday thats totally do-able, because it doesn’t require that much discipline.

However, if one of our goals is weight loss, that requires a lot more time and effort. We would need to commit to an exercise routine by making time in our schedules, change our eating habits by shopping and cooking healthy clean meals, change our mind frame towards the goal of weight loss, etc. You get the gist! So start with one change at a time and you will more then likely succeed!

Make a list and review it every week!

I find it best to write your goals down on paper, grab a journal or notebook that inspires you and get busy!  Be detailed with your list of goals and how you will accomplish them and then review the list weekly.  If needed make changes and adjustments to your list as you continue towards your goals. 

I love to get inspired with a journal that gets me thinking and motivates me.  I recently started using The Desire Map, a guide to creating goals with soul, and I absolutely love it!  It’s a poetic motivational book and a journal all in one, and without sounding corny it really helps you look into your core desired feelings and map them out with journaling. 

Share your goals with others!

Don’t keep your goals to yourself, I’m a big believer in this one!  When you have a support group to share your struggles and successes with, it makes the journey a lot easier and gives you the motivation to keep going. 

How about rallying a friend to join you in a goal? It’s so much easier to have a friend going through the same struggles, so you can encourage each other on.  If exercise is your goal, why not find a workout buddy? 

Make a schedule and stick to it!

If you don’t schedule out your time you won’t stick to your goals! Personally I like to schedule my week on Sunday night. I look at all the things I need to get done that week, and the goals I’m trying to achieve and schedule them out accordingly.

I’m not a huge fan of planners, I have gone through a bunch and only last a few months and then it ends up collecting dust (maybe I should make that a goal for next year, haha).  However, I do love the The Desire Map Planner that works super well with the book that I mentioned above.  I prefer paperless so at the moment I’m using the digital Desire Map planner, and it keeps me organized and goal focused. 

If you fail, try try again!

This one totally applies to me, sometimes I have the “all or nothing” viewpoint and it sets me up for failure! If I don’t eat healthy in the morning, I might as well eat junk all day right? Wrong.  If you only exercise 2 out of the 3 scheduled times that week, don’t give up, but try again the next week. 

Remember that failure isn’t a sign of personal incompetence! Don’t let it get the best of you, and don’t get down on yourself.  If you try try again, eventually you will succeed. 

It’s a New Year, with the same you, and new goals!

Keep in mind that just because it’s the start of a new year, its not your only opportunity to set goals and switch things up!  Change can happen at any time or place in your life, but it all starts with you and your determination.  To truly grow in life, treat every day of the year as your first day, a new beginning.

What are your goals for next year? I would love to hear from you, please comment below!  If you need some goal ideas, check out The One Habit That Changed my Outlook on Life!