7 Tips to Keep New Year’s Resolutions

New Year Resolution

Character is the ability to carry out a good resolution long after the excitement of the moment has passed. – Cavett Robert

According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, one of the definitions of resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something. You may have decided to, say, give up smoking or exercise every day but how do you maintain your enthusiasm throughout the year? Here are some of the factors to keep your resolutions:

1.      Just a few commitments: Starting a resolution means forming a new habit. Committing to too many things will be overwhelming for you. The answer is doing less and achieving more.

2.      Maintain a schedule: To make your resolutions stick, replace a non-productive time like watching TV with a new habit like jogging. Identify a time slot that is convenient for you. 

3.      Keep the benefits in mind: To keep you motivated, think of all the benefits of a new habit like jogging. You utilize the time wisely to keep fit and healthy. Moreover, an exercise in itself will boost your self-image and self-confidence.

4.      Meaningful to you: Another plus factor is that your resolutions should mean a lot to you. As an example, you embark on a course of evening study relating to your job. It means you will be more competent at work and you are helping yourself to gain a promotion eventually.

5.      Start a new habit and keep doing it daily: Forming a new habit takes time. In order to establish a new habit do it every day. Remember to take one small step at a time. You will slowly but surely get to where you want to be.

6.      Put them in writing and always be visible: Be reminded constantly about your resolutions Allow yourself to see them in a conspicuous place so that you are always aware and upbeat about it.

7.      Check your progress: Congratulate yourself when you are able to maintain your new habit for 21 days, a minimum time to allow a new habit to be firmly established. By then the benefits derive from the new habit will spur your effort further.

According to G.K. Chesterton,” The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.”

Start the New Year with a new you by keeping your New Year’s resolutions