As 2013 comes to an end, you may be thinking about your goals for the new year. Whether it be exercising, eating healthier, or studying more, resolutions can sometimes be difficult. Here are some quick tips for keeping your resolutions past the month of January.
1. Pick realistic goals
Try to pick something that you can easily manage throughout the year. Keep in mind your other activities and how your resolution will coincide.
2. Be specific
The more concise you are, the easier your resolution will be to follow. Maybe instead of saying, “I want to eat healthier” actually define what eating healthier means to you. Does it mean less sweets, cutting out soda, or more vegetables? Alter your resolution to your personal goal.
3. Make a plan
Don’t make your resolution the day before New Year’s, start now! Set out a schedule for yourself.
4. Enlist support
Have a positive support team of family and friends. Maybe even find some friends with the same goals to keep each other track. You’ll find it much easier to go to the gym if you have a buddy to go with you.
5. Stick to it
Don’t give up! Change doesn’t come overnight. Experts say that it takes about 21 days for something to become habit. So even if you slip up a few times, if your resolution is something you really care about, keep working.