Stay on Target: A daily guide to keeping that New Year’s Resolution
Stay on Target: A daily guide to keeping that New Year’s Resolution
By James E. “Jed” Foster, Jr., MA, LMFT
Are you already rethinking that New Year’s Resolution? In this blog post we will go over how to keep your new year’s resolutions and some tips on making them stick. For example: did you know that for each day of the week there is an activity that will help stick with your resolutions better? This is just one of the many ways to make sure you stay on track. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Monday: Make a plan. The first thing you need to do is make a plan of what you want to achieve and how you’re going to do it. Break your goals down into small, manageable tasks that you can complete each day or week. This will help keep you on track and motivated.
Tuesday: Tell someone about your resolution. Telling someone about your resolutions helps hold yourself accountable- plus it’s always good to have support! Ask a friend or family member to check in with you regularly and see how you’re doing. You could even set up weekly challenges or bets with them as extra motivation!
Wednesday: Set some rewards for yourself. If you reach a goal, set a small reward for yourself. This could be something as simple as taking a break to watch your favorite TV show or going out for dinner with friends. Rewarding yourself for your hard work will help keep you motivated and push you towards your goals.
Thursday: Make it social. Another way to make sure you stick to your resolutions is by making them social activities. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier, invite friends over for a healthy potluck dinner party instead of ordering pizza! Or, if you’re trying to save money, have a movie night at home rather than going out to the cinema.
Friday: Take some time for yourself. As well as being social, it’s also important to take some time for yourself. Everyone needs a little “me time” now and then, so don’t feel guilty about going to the gym or taking an hour out of your day just for you.
Saturday: Keep track of it all! Another way that will help keep you on track is by keeping a journal or diary where you can write down everything that has contributed to achieving your goal – from what worked well, to things which didn’t go as planned. This will allow you to look back at previous weeks/months and see how far you have come!
Sunday: Track the progress towards your goals every week. If there are tough days when reaching your resolutions seems impossible, try tracking them weekly instead of daily. When tracking your progress, be specific and break down your goals into measurable tasks so you can see how far you have come. This will help keep you motivated when things get tough.
So there you have it! Some tips on how to stick to your new year’s resolutions. Just remember to take things one step at a time, stay positive and be patient – Rome wasn’t built in a day! And above all else, have fun with it! After all, what’s the point of having resolutions if they’re not enjoyable? Happy New Year!
Jed is a licensed psychotherapist that continues to be both amazed by and drawn to the mind-body connection. Check in on his blogs for news, information, tips, and commentary on topics related to – but not limited to – the mind-gut connection, behavioral therapy, gut-directed hypnotherapy, weight management, positive psychology, stress reduction, anxiety, depression, overall well-being, and anything else he feels patients will benefit from learning. Jed is actively accepting new patients. Call 224.407.4400 today and begin your journey to better health and enhanced overall well-being.