The end of December is approaching and we are coming up on the New Year. As tradition goes, we are all deciding on what our resolutions will be for the upcoming year. This year, I challenge you to take a new approach to some of our most common resolutions: start them before 2018. Here are 5 resolutions that you can start before the clock strikes 12.
1. Go to the gym.
For most folks, a night of celebrating and using liquid courage to kiss that stranger at 12 will not result in an early morning gym sesh. Start your New Year habits before they happen so they are more likely to stick. Get into a routine, get comfortable with your gym, and gradually start working out. Plus, if someone asks how long you have been working out you can say "since last year".
2. Eat healthily.
I'm not telling you to give up your late night cookout runs or pizza delivery, but starting to make minor adjustments to your daily diet sooner will make it easier to adjust to next year. If you want to go cold-turkey and give up all of your fast food favorites, it's likely that you will be craving that 4 for 4 Wendy's meal 2 days into your new diet. Start adding some fruits and veggies in your diet so that you don't have to drastically change your eating habits later.
3. Manage your money.
With the spirit of giving alive and well this holiday season, give yourself a gift this Christmas: go into the New Year financially stable. Use this month as a trial run. Learn how to find the best deals for the gifts you want to give and judge whether or whether not that new iPhone fits into your budget.4. Get organized.
What better way to get organized than to start out planning? Start planning and organizing your life to fit how you want to live in 2018. Clean your house up, make a schedule, and have a plan. You will feel as if you already achieved your New Year's resolution if you go into 2018 not struggling to find matching socks because they have all been paired up and put away.5. Quit your bad habit.
How many times have you told your friends and family that you are going to quit the habit they hate the most. Whether it be your Taco Bell addiction (I promise I'll try next year, mom) or your smoking habit. If you want to stop you need to start. Don't drag out your habit any longer because it will only make it harder to stop. If you can't give it up completely, try gradually doing it less. Starting today will make continuing it in 2018 easier.
And most importantly...
You got this!