The Start of Resolutions
Ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year’s resolutions some 4,000 years ago. They were also the first to hold celebrations in honor of the new year, although their New Year was held in March, not January, when the crops were planted. They made promises to their Gods to be loyal and righteous, and if they were successful, their crops would do well.
Despite the religious roots of resolutions, New Year’s resolutions today tend to be made by almost everyone. Most resolutions are promises made to oneself, not to a higher authority. About one-third of Americans (34%) planned to make a New Year’s resolution in 2024, and most of those resolutions involved wellness — eating healthier, exercising more, and losing weight.
Keeping that Resolution
Sticking to a New Year’s resolution can be tough because change is hard. Habits take some time to become part of your routine, and waiting for results isn’t something we’re good at. Although the average resolution lasts only 3.7 months, there are some tactics that you can put in place to see your resolution through until the end.
5 Tips to Increase the Chances of Fulfilling Your Resolution
#1 Set Short-Term Goals
You’ve set one large goal or resolution for the New Year, now make it happen. Immediately you feel anxious and overwhelmed which makes you want to give up before you even start. Do yourself a favor and break your resolution into smaller, short-term goals that are easier to stick with.
If you want to try a new workout routine, don’t commit yourself to 5 times a week — start slowly and consistently and work up from there. Allowing your body to adjust to a new routine increases the likelihood of you staying the course. Giving yourself the grace to meet your goal in small steps can help you avoid discouragement along the way.
Think about your resolution and map out a plan of action. Any resolution can be broken into short-term goals that make it more manageable, and writing it down will also help in sticking with it.
#2 Find a Support System
The Buddy System works! Having a solid support system can help you remain motivated and accountable. A friend, loved one, or even a work colleague may be interested in joining you in your goal. There are also many groups with like-minded people that you can join.
Maybe you want to increase your networking skills, there are business groups in every city that meet once a month to focus on networking. Maybe walking 2 miles a day is your goal, there are groups who do this. Invest some time into researching the established groups around you, and you are bound to find one that will help you achieve your resolution.
If improving your wellness is your resolution this year, 10X Health can help you on that journey. We can help you reach your goals through our 5-part wellness approach that will customize a plan for you to reach your optimal well-being.
#3 Renew Your Motivation
At the beginning of the year, you feel confident and highly motivated to see your resolution through until the end of the year. Making the change seems easy at first because you’re determined. But as time passes, so does that kick of enthusiasm.
When your inspiration starts to dwindle, remind yourself exactly why you’re doing this. Think about what you have to do to achieve your goal (maybe write it down), and what achieving your goal will mean to you. Finding sources of inspiration will help keep you going.
#4 Make It Measurable
Making a goal measurable makes it more attainable. The more specific you are with your resolution, the more likely you are to achieve it.
For example, if you want to cut back on the amount of time you spend on social media, you can allow yourself one hour each day and set a timer. Although this may seem basic, it is measurable and sets a pattern for success. By assigning a measurement to the goal, you are specifying what goal success looks like.
#5 Stay Positive
Sticking with a resolution can be daunting at times, but staying positive can push you through. Strive for progress instead of perfection, and give yourself credit for the progress you’ve made. The way we talk to ourselves can build a positive outlook and make achieving goals easier.
You will have hiccups on your way to reaching your goals, but how you respond to those setbacks is what makes a difference. Don’t be afraid to “re-start” your resolution if you stray from it. A New Year’s resolution means you’re trying to do something good for yourself, so remind yourself of that when it feels like you’ve failed.
–
Achieving your New Year’s Resolutions can be done — and following the above five tips can help in the process. Be patient with yourself and keep working at your goal.
Contact 10X Health to help you reach your wellness resolutions in the New Year!
