New Year’s resolutions are goals that people set in hopes of achieving them throughout the year. While I scrolling through my social media pages, many people claimed to have had a ‘terrible year’ and hoped that 2017 will be much better. Others are adamant about losing weight and have already starting posting their eating and workout plans. Curious to know more about New Year’s resolutions, I did some research. I found that the most common resolution is the goal to get fit. During the beginning of each year, the amount of gym memberships, fitness trackers, and workout equipment experience a sudden increase, but this doesn't hold throughout the year. In fact, research shows that only about 8 percent of people actually fulfill their New Year’s goals. Last year, I didn’t have a New Year’s resolution, but I simply set a goal for my self towards the beginning of the year. I was informed about a scholarship called Zell Miller that pays 100 percent of tuition. Only about 7 percent of high school students achieve this because of the required grade point average and combined SAT score. Because of my crazy schedule and past study habits, I didn’t initially have faith that I would achieve it. However, I did achieve my goal by abiding by these simple steps:
1. Keep it simple and set a realistic goal
Don't set a huge list of goals, because you are more likely to achieve them if you focus on one thing at a time.
2. Have a plan and be specific
Instead of saying, 'I want to lose weight', or 'I want to make better grades'. Say, 'I'm going to start going to the gym on these certain days and consume this amount of calories', or 'I'm going to study for this amount of hours a day'.
3. Have someone hold you accountable
Tell your close friends and family members to make sure you are sticking to the steps you have laid out to achieve your goal. They will help prevent you falling back into your old habits.
4. Measure your progress
From tracking your workout activity on your phone, to writing down your progress in a notebook, there's a million different ways to it. Measuring your progress helps you stay organized, while seeing your improvements.
