If you are like many people one of the things you did with your time over the holidays is reflect on lifestyle changes you would like to make. Whether you officially consider these resolutions is up to you. Hopefully, these 7 tips for sticking to your resolutions will help your achieve them.
As an aspiring gym rat, I tend to go to my local gym fairly often. Every year it is predictable that the gym will be full of fresh new faces at the beginning of January. They are easy to spot since they are hogging all the small weights and often not using equipment quite right. Unfortunately, for many of these folks their motivation to achieve their fitness goals will fail before they get their new trainers broke in properly. Researchers have found that 80% of people abandon their resolutions by February.
Here are 7 tips for sticking to your resolutions
- Document your goals. Actually, writing out your goals will help keep you accountable to yourself. It also serves as a visual reminder of what you plan to do.
- Have an Accountability Partner. Your chances of achieving your goal increase when you have positive peer pressure. Having the encouragement of a close friend may be just what you need.
- Plan for success. Build your lifestyle around your new goals. Many of our resolutions require us to make commitments to ongoing lifestyle changes.
- Just relax. Exercising self-control can be tiring. Taking some time to recharge may help you achieve your goals over the long-term.
- Anticipate Barriers. The time you spend making a plan to avoid temptation and backsliding into old behaviour will be well spent. Even if you don’t encounter barriers you may feel more confident knowing you are ready for them.
- Reward Good Behaviour. Reward yourself for achieving each step towards your goal. Who doesn’t like a reward for doing the right thing?
- Focus on Outcomes. Don’t let yourself forget why you set this specific goal in the first place. This may help get you through the tough times.
“Be at war with your vices; at peace with your neighbours, and let every new year find you a better man.” Benjamin Franklin
