5 Tips For Keeping Your New Year's Resolutions in Saratoga Springs
It can be easier to stick to your New Year's resolutions if your goals are specific and measurable. Broad intentions like "drink less coffee" or "visit with family more" can be hard to track, but redefining them—such as "drink only one cup of coffee a day" or "visit family every two weeks"—provides clarity and helps you monitor your progress. Here are 5 strategies to keeping your New Year's resolutions in Saratoga Springs.
Share Your Resolution
You can create a support network of family and friends by talking about your resolution and asking them to offer words of encouragement and motivation when you need it.
You may even find a friend with the same New Year's resolution, opening up the opportunity to work with them toward your shared goal.
Set Short-Term Goals
Most New Year's resolutions require a lot of time and dedication to accomplish, so setting short-term goals for yourself might make it easier. You can set a new goal for each week or even for each day.
Popular New Year's resolutions, such as "quit smoking" or "lose weight," can be discouraging if you try to tackle them head on.
Instead, try to first cut down to half a pack a day or focus on losing those first 5 pounds. The same mentality can be applied to any number of New Year's resolutions. Chipping away at these goals and achieving small victories can help tremendously in working toward the bigger picture.
Chart Your Progress
Whether you keep a journal, map out a progress chart, or simply put checkmarks on your calendar, it will help you stay focused if you track the progress you make toward achieving your New Year's resolutions.
Keeping track of your goals can also help you notice patterns of successes and shortfalls from day to day, so you can see which efforts are most effective.
Make a Backup Plan
When temptations arise and your strength is running thin, it helps to have a reliable safety net to fall back on. Whether it's calling a friend for assistance, making a pros and cons list, or placing sticky notes around as reminders, you will find it easier to stay focused if you plan ahead.
If You Slip Up, Don't Give Up
Imagine if a professional basketball player got discouraged and decided to quit the sport because he missed a couple of shots here and there. Likewise, it wouldn't make much sense for you to beat yourself up over an occasional slip-up on your New Year's resolution.
It may be challenging at times, and you may not always succeed with each goal you set for yourself, but don't abandon your resolution.
Continue working toward your goal each day to the best of your ability. Just keep going!
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