New Years’ Revolution – How to Turn Your Best of Intentions into Reality Next Year

It’s here again. That time of year that we all love, dread, or perhaps, a bit of both. For all the pleasantries, festivities, excesses, frustrations, mayhem and chaos, nothing can stop the march of time as one year draws to a close and the new one dawns. For many of us, that means rolling out the same old New Years’ resolutions that we make every year and promptly allow to fall by the wayside. As 2018 looms large, perhaps it’s time to finally consider making those promises stick, whatever they are. Here are a few tips on how to make that happen:

Create Structure

Like any area of life, working towards your goals requires time – and time needs management. Creating a structure around your processes will help you to remain on target. If you’re looking to get fit, rather than just telling yourself that you’ll start jogging, pre-pay for membership at a gym, sign up for karate, MMA or Krav Maga classes, make a standing date with a reliable friend to run, swim or work out together. Committing yourself to a structured regime will be an important step in ensuring that you stay focused

Baby Steps

One of the most common mistakes that people make when implementing changes in their life is setting the bar too high. If you don’t see regular progress, you can quickly become discouraged and find yourself right back where you started before you know it. By setting yourself, smaller, incremental targets, you will feel a sense of accomplishment that will encourage you to continue working hard to meet the next goal. That injection of dopamine that you receive when you feel a sense of achievement is scientifically proven to help motivate you.

Reward Yourself

Another important strategy is to give yourself a little pat on the back whenever you reach a milestone along the way. Whether it’s a cheat night on that diet or exercise regime, a lazy Sunday morning sleep-in for maintaining punctuality, a sweet treat for cleaning up that potty-mouth; whatever your fancy, the promise of a carrot at the end of the stick will keep you working hard to reach your desired destination.

Make Yourself Accountable

Nobody likes to be micro-managed. On the flip-side, having a healthy level of oversight can be a significant contributing factor in warding off complacency. When it comes to our resolutions, assigning a spouse, family member or close friend to check in on our progress can be a huge help. The knowledge that we are accountable for our progress to someone who will support and encourage us in a positive way will work wonders. It’s crucial to have a constructive conversation with your counterpart regarding how the communication should play out so that nobody’s nose gets out of joint, which will defeat the purpose.

Make a Change

Making a change in other areas of your life can be a powerful impetus that supports your efforts to make changes in others. Moving house or changing jobs can provide the fresh environment that is conducive to maintaining a regular fitness or diet regime, for example. If such sea-changes are not on the cards, try redecorating your home or work-space, or even moving furniture around or changing desks. Even minor changes to your environment can give you a fresh approach.

Whatever your intentions for the new year, with a bit of planning and implementing the right strategies, you can give yourself the best chance of being successful and finally make good on those promises you’ve been making yourself for years. Good luck!

About Jammie Morey

Jammie is of Native American descent, her family is from the Ojibway/Chippewa tribe in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. She was born and raised in Michigan and currently resides there with her daughter. She is a single parent and enjoys spending time with her daughter. Jammie is a home healthcare aide and loves what she does outside the home. Jammie is Owner of The Neat Things in Life.

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