Amir Shemony on How to Create Achievable New Year Resolutions

It’s that time of year again to start thinking about improving yourself and making a new start in the new year. New Year’s Day is the ideal time to start a new chapter in your life and make a new year’s resolution. For many people, this is the time when they believe that they have to turn the page and start fresh. Unfortunately, this can be a very discouraging and misleading time of year for many people. It’s usually a stressful time of year, especially during the holiday season.

Instead of making a big deal out of your New Year’s resolution, as it will most likely be hard to keep, try to follow these seven steps to make your resolution a lasting success.

Create SMART Goals

One of the most critical steps you should take when setting goals is to write them down in a way that communicates the why. This will allow you to think about how you want to achieve these goals and how you’ll prioritize them. The SMART framework can help you set goals that are specific and powerful:

• Specific: Simple, sensible, and significant enough to take action.
• Measurable: What it will take to reach your goal.
• Achievable: Set attainable goals; don’t bite off more than you can chew.

• Relevant: Create realistic goals resourced to your lifestyle and skill set.
• Time-bound: Set realistic timeframes.

The timing of your goals can help you create action and prioritize what’s important to you. If you need to figure out if you have the skills to achieve these goals, then the first one should be getting them.

Have a Plan

Making New Year’s resolutions is more challenging than it sounds. Learning how to keep them is even more challenging. Before you start making any changes, it’s essential that you thoroughly research the process and plan. Having the necessary resources will allow you to make the required changes.

One of the most critical steps you should take is gathering information on various topics. Whether it’s quitting smoking or taking up yoga, there are plenty of resources that can help you make the necessary changes. Preparing everything will allow you to make the most of your New Year’s resolutions.

Determine Possible Obstacles

Getting to your goals will be challenging, and there will be problems along the way. Before you start making any changes, it’s essential that you thoroughly research the process and plan. Having a list of possible obstacles will help you identify them and manage them efficiently.

After identifying the times, you’ll encounter these obstacles, work out strategies to overcome them. This will help you stick to your goals and avoid getting stuck in the mud.

Take Small Steps

Instead of focusing on the last phase of your goal, think about the process. This will help you reach your goals and avoid getting stuck in the mud. One of the essential factors that you should remember is that taking on too much can prevent you from achieving your goals.

One of the most critical factors you should remember is that taking on too much can prevent you from achieving your goals. Instead of focusing on the last phase of your plan, focus on the first three or five.

Know That Failure Will Happen

Failure is typical, whether you have big or small goals. Don’t feel bad about yourself if you fail to walk a mile, shout at the kids, or sneak a cigarette. There’s nothing wrong with occasionally falling short. Focus on the areas of your life that need improvement and try to learn from them.

If you know that alcohol causes you to crave cigarettes and overwork the next day, cut back on it. If you’re aware of the morning rush before school, get up earlier and prepare for it the night before.

Celebrate and Reward Your Achievements

Celebrate your achievement by giving yourself something that you enjoy. For instance, if you’ve been keeping your promise to improve your health, treat yourself by wearing new fitness clothes or watching a movie with a friend.

One of the most enjoyable parts of making changes in the new year is celebrating your achievements. However, make sure that you stick to your goals and continue to make progress. Having fun while working on your objectives can also help keep you motivated.

Choose Your Start Date

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to make resolutions on New Year’s Day. If you genuinely want to make changes, choose a day when you’ll feel good about yourself and be surrounded by positive people.

One of the most common reasons people fail at making resolutions is that they need more time and energy to commit to them. Instead, try to wait until the perfect time to start making changes. Having a timeline can also help keep you on track and make progress. Make small goals to help you reach your New Year’s resolution. Doing so will allow you to see how far you’ve come.