Whether you resolved to save more money in 2019 or to cut back on the junk food, hit the gym and get in shape, most New Year’s resolutions aim to make life a little bit better. Unfortunately, many people aren’t able to stick with their resolutions all year — in fact, many don’t even make it past January. If you want to make your resolutions stick, here are some simple tips that could help you turn those lifestyle changes into everyday habits.
Do it with a friend. For many people, going to the gym or cooking at home just starts to get lonely. If you’re the social type, it may help to make your resolution more fun if you do it with a friend. Another benefit? If you make your resolution with someone else (or even with a group), you can support one another and hold each other to your goals.
Work it into your schedule. If you try to change your entire daily routine, you may start to run out of time in the day and break your resolution because you’re simply overwhelmed. By working with your current schedule, it will be much easier to make those small changes. For example, instead of waking up at 5 a.m. to hit the gym for an hour to meet your fitness goals, start by working out on your lunch break.
Start slow. You don’t have to meet your goals immediately, you just have to work towards meeting them. If you want to save a set amount of money, start by adding a few dollars to your savings account; if you want to lose a certain amount of weight, start by cutting out junk food; if you want to write a book, start by setting aside an hour each day just for writing.
Keep a journal. Journaling is a healthy habit that can help you to pinpoint trouble areas and keep track of your progress. Each day, take a few minutes to write down how you worked on your New Year’s resolutions and what you could do better. When you go back and read your entries after a few weeks, months or even the whole year, you’ll be amazed at what you overcame and how much you accomplished!