Do you make New Year’s resolutions each year only to give up by February? Why is it that we start a year with such good intentions only to fall back into bad habits within a few weeks?
If you love making a New Year’s resolution but can’t seem to stick to it, we understand the struggle. Check out the most common resolutions made each year, and how you can stick with them all year long.
Common Resolutions
Do any of these resolutions sound familiar? They’re some of the most common ones people make every year.
- Eat healthier
- Exercise more
- Save money/spend less money
- Take care of yourself: This may mean to get more sleep, stop smoking, or go to the doctor more often.
- Read more books
- Make new friends
- Learn something new: This could be a new skill or a hobby
- Get a new job
- Spend more time with family and friends
All of these are great goals to have, but the hard part is sticking to them.
How to Stick to Your New Year’s Resolutions
The problem most people have with keeping their resolutions is that they think big and come up with great ideas, but fall down on the execution. Here are some things that will help you stick to your new year’s resolutions all year long.
Think of resolutions as goals. Instead of “resolving” to change, think of it as a new goal you’ve set for yourself. This offers a more positive, long-term outlook on what you want to accomplish.
Write it down. Habits, goals, and ideas always seem more real and concrete once they’re written down. Put it on the calendar or make a note and put it where you can see it everyday. That will remind you of your goal when you start to feel lazy about it.
Think of how you’ll achieve it. The big problem with most resolutions is that many people focus on what they want to accomplish, but not how they’ll do it. If you want to eat healthier in 2019, decide what that means to you. Will you try Paleo, go vegan, or something else?
Start small. Wanting to run a marathon is a great goal, but if it’s been a decade since you wore running shoes, you have to crawl before you run (or tackle 26.2 miles). It’s easy to get discouraged if you try to do a big thing before you’re prepared. Achieving small steps will get you to the bigger goal over time.
Be patient with yourself. Nothing ever happens as fast as we’d like it to. Don’t give up after a bad weekend or week. Start again from where you are, and keep going. The moments where you fall of the wagon aren’t as bad as you think they are, and you can always start over. Think of it as a cha-cha — two steps forward, one step back.
If one of your goals this year is to save money and worry less about your loved ones, it’s time to rethink your insurance coverage. Schedule an insurance review or get a quote for a new policy. Contact us at Charlotte Insurance and let us help you start the new year off right.