On January 1 you were fully determined to stick to the New Year’s resolutions that you made for 2016. You’ve been doing well, but now that it’s February, you may need some encouragement to keep the momentum going. According to multiple sources, only 8% of people achieve their resolution. The struggle is real, and we’ve compiled a list of things that have helped us stay on track:
Remind yourself why you made the resolution. It’s easier to stick to your resolution if it actually means something to you. That said, at times you may need a reminder of its value. Say you enrolled at Albertus Magnus and resolved to get serious about your studies, but you’re tempted to skip a few assignments because you’re finding them challenging. Remind yourself that doing those assignments and meeting those challenges is your path to having the career of your dreams.
Reevaluate: By now, you’ll have figured out if your resolutions are realistic. If they aren’t, it’s possible you’ve given up or close to it. However, it is perfectly acceptable to reevaluate and adjust your goals. Whether it be the goal itself or the method of attaining it, nothing is set in stone. For example, maybe your goal was to lose fifty pound by Valentine’s Day. However, your weight loss is coming along slower than you hoped. Reevaluate if losing that much in that time frame was realistic. If not, assess what you’ve lost so far and how you are going about it. Then, adjust your target weight or time frame and keep going.
Announce it online. Have you ever joked that something was “Facebook Official” or “If it’s on the Internet, it must be true”? Apply those concepts to sharing your resolution online. In our technology-filled world, this is a great way to hold yourself accountable. Plus, social media can be it’s own support group. Who says peer pressure can’t be a positive thing?
Continue to track your progress. Be sure to acknowledge and record every stage in reaching your goal. It’s easy to get discouraged when it takes time to get where you want to be, so you should delight in each step that gets you closer. Has it been a month since your last cigarette or did you organize at least one closet in your home? Grab some friends and go celebrate.
Make an allowance for setbacks. You’re human and life is unpredictable, so sometimes setbacks happen. If they do, don’t beat yourself up over it. Learn from your mistake and get back to working toward your goal. When it comes to making life changes, January 1 is a symbolic date.
Be positive. Remember that New Year’s resolutions are a way of helping you make the improvements to your life that you desire. While it’s important to hold yourself accountable, it’s equally important to not get discouraged if your plan isn’t going exactly as expected.
Albertus Magnus College wishes you a continued happy and healthy 2016. We believe in your determination to meet your goals. We have faith in your future.