2023 is quickly approaching. During this past year, there might’ve been a few things that have caught your attention and called for change. The new year offers a fresh motivational start, though, you can start a resolution any time you please. I think every new year offers a new outlook.
New Year’s resolutions are goals that can increase an individual’s well-being since they force us to consider what we value most and help to structure our time.
Be ambitious yet achievable.
First, be realistic about the resolution(s). I try to aim high for myself. But don’t come up with an arbitrary resolution that you know you won’t make happen or stick to. I try to be specific about what I want to achieve. Also, I don’t feel the need to aim for a specific number of resolutions. Instead, when I reread my list and feel accomplished, then I know I’ve started in a good place. A great place to start is identifying your habits — not just the bad ones. Resolutions don’t have to be, and shouldn’t be, all negative habits or trait-related. Make a plan and make the resolutions measurable. Sometimes you will not achieve the resolution in the expected duration. Rather than feeling discouragement towards yourself, be proud of yourself for maintaining consistency. Reflect on what worked well for you the past year, and incorporate how you achieved the success (regardless the size) into your resolution plan of action. They can be private or public to others. Sometimes it’s better to ask close individuals in your life if they think your resolution is on track, because sometimes we don’t notice our habits. They can offer something you never thought of about yourself. Track your progress. This helps with commitment and gives you something to be proud of every day, week or month, depending on the length.
Resolutions are different than goals. The first one is a firm decision to do (or not do) a specific behavior, and the second is a series of steps designed to help a person achieve the desired result. It’s vital to have both, and I think you need the goal step to properly reach the resolution. We don’t always hear about individuals’ resolutions failing, but they do, a lot. I think this is because the person was/is merely looking for a new experience instead of being truly committed to real change. It’s important to be mindful of the results, but you need to focus on the process that will get you there.
Dr. Gabriele Oettingen, a psychologist came up with this technique:
- Wish:Â What do you want?
- Outcome:Â What would the ideal outcome be? What will your life look like when you hit your goal?
- Obstacle:Â You know yourself. What will try to stop you? What has sidelined you before?
- Plan:Â How will you get around it?
Find the true purpose of the resolution. If you aspire to something enough you will find a way to achieve it, even when challenges arise. It will take work.