It's the second week of December and I'm guessing you all are only thinking about Christmas, which is just around the corner. You're forgetting about New Year's Day, the day that most everyone vows to a resolution that will better some part of their life. New Year's is less than a week after Christmas, which means it is also coming fast. This New Year's, I decided to start my resolution in a different way.
According to Dr. Maxwell Maltz's book "Psycho-Cybernetics," it takes 21 days to make a habit. Often times, many people give up their New Year's resolution before the task becomes a habit, thus failing. That being said, I choose to start my resolution 21 days before the New Year. Why, you ask? Whether your resolution is going to the gym daily, drinking more water, or even simply just reading more, starting earlier than everyone else will allow you to have already created a habit out of the resolution, ensuring that you stick to it throughout the following year.
This means you must start your resolution by Dec. 10, which falls on a Thursday this year! Here are some tips to starting and keeping that resolution all year long:
Simply, decide what your resolution will be. Are there some goals that you've had for the longest time that you've never reached? What have you always wanted to do? Figure out a resolution for yourself!
Plan! Plan! Plan! When making a habit you must plan out what your goals are and how to achieve them. Make a game plan on how you will reach your resolution.
Begin simple. Start by thinking of small goals that gradually get bigger. Don't start out with the hardest resolution ever; think about small ways to begin reaching the resolution, and eventually it'll become easier.
Write it down! Write it in a notebook, write it on your wall, write it everywhere! I began by writing it down in my planner and then I wrote it on my wall. Putting it down on paper helps lay out the resolution in concrete form, and not just in your mind.
Along with writing it in the planner, keeping it on your wall will help to remind yourself daily of the resolution. You could also put reminders on your phone, calendar, or all around you. Making sure you are remembering the resolution daily will be very beneficial in holding yourself to completing it.
Grab a buddy. Have someone who will hold you accountable to complete the tasks or steps in achieving the resolution. You go to work and class every day because there are people there who are counting on you for the work or good grade. Having a partner when completing a resolution will make you that much more likely to be successful because they must be able to count on you, and you on them as well.
Stop thinking about the end product and focus on the steps that will get you there. For example, don't think of a resolution of losing some weight as I will lose (X) amount of pounds. Think that, if I go to the gym (X) amount of times a week and eat healthy, then I will be able to lose (X) pounds.
While understanding that sometimes you might fail the small stuff, eliminate all of the negative thoughts. Keep up a positive attitude by surrounding yourself with the right tools to achieve your resolution. If one's resolution was to eat healthy, don't keep junk food in your cupboards. This can eliminate the bad temptations that accompany your resolution.
Do not skip! As tough as it might be, consistence is key.
Lastly, be doing it for yourself. Having the motivation because you want to complete the resolution will give you the incentive to follow through.
Happy Early New Year's and good luck to all!
