I’m pretty sure almost every single human being is guilty of making resolutions that they don’t end up keeping. Whether it’s a fitness goal, wanting to eat healthier, or be kinder, or do more things that scare you, it’s rare that resolutions get kept for the entire year. With that being said, we’re entering into not only a new year, but a new decade (yikes!), so I think it’s time we start sticking to our guns. 2019 was about learning and growth, and 2020 is going to be about making some real goddamned progress. So, with that being said, here are some tips and tricks for making a resolution that you’re actually going to keep:
1. Be realistic about the amount of time and effort you are willing to give. Emphasis on willing. Some people might say, “be realistic about the amount of time and effort you have to give.” But in reality, the time is there, and the potential to put in effort is there. Those things already exist, when you think about it, so you have to get real with yourself about how much you are going to be willing to put in. Don’t make it your resolution to go to the gym every day before class or work when you know fully well that you aren’t a morning person, and will probably only want to wake up that early once a week.
2. Have someone keep you accountable. Find a friend who has similar goals as you, and work together to keep each other accountable and stick to your goals. A few months ago, my friend and I decided we wanted to start saving more money, so we sat down and made each other budget charts. We did weekly check-ins to keep one another accountable, and lo and behold, my credit card is paid! off!
3. Get real about what you truly want. There’s no point in setting a goal or a resolution just because you think that it will make someone else happy, or that it will make you look better in someone else’s eyes. Don’t make goals because your family members are constantly nagging you to do something, or because all of your friends are doing certain things. What do you want out of your life? I find it helpful to jot down a quick list of what I want, what I really want, and what is at the top of my priority list.
I hope this offers at least a little bit of guidance for you. Resolutions aren’t for everyone, but I think it’s important to set goals for yourself in order to constantly keep growing. Best of luck and happy new year!