As we roll into a new year, we are often inspired to achieve new goals and resolutions. Unfortunately, while we start the year with a bang, we soon find our motivation fizzling out. Well, why not make 2023 the year you succeed in the goals that you set for yourself? Even if you find yourself unmotivated by February, there are some sure ways to make sure you stick to your plan.
Be realistic
Often, we abandon those new year’s resolutions because we were simply too ambitious – not with the goals we want to achieve (you should always dream big), but with how we approached it. Take someone who wants to get fitter, for example. They might start off in January with a new gym membership and a session a day. By February, they are down to a few sessions a week and in March, the membership is cancelled.
Instead, look at where you are at in this moment and build from there. If you never exercise, start by doing a easy 10-min routine every day, or a 30-min routine a couple of times a week. When those start to feel like a habit, add more sessions or adjust the intensity.
Have a plan
On the same note, be sure you have a game plan. Break up the bigger goal into smaller steps that you can take weekly or monthly. As a bonus, you can add in some smaller goals that will help you measure your progress.
For example, if you want to get fitter, start with defining what that would mean for you. Do you want to lift heavier weights? Do you want to cycle 15 km? Then look at what you would need to get there. What exercises would help?
Finally, set smaller goals. If, for example, you want to cycle 15 km, try cycling 2 km in January, 3 km in February, 5 km in March and so on. When you’ve completed these smaller distances, you will feel like you’ve made progress and be motivated to continue.
Keep your eye on the prize
Make sure your goal is always at the forefront of your mind. When life gets busy, we often forget about all the things we want to achieve. Don’t buy weights with the goal of exercising more and then leave them in your closet – you’re likely to forget all about it. Instead, put the weights in the living room or somewhere that you will always see them and be reminded to exercise.
Vision boards can be a helpful tool for keeping your eye on the prize – especially when there aren’t physical objects to help remind you of your goal. If, for example, you want to travel this year, print some pictures of the places you want to go and stick them to your fridge or mirror so that you are reminded daily of what you want to achieve.
Hold yourself accountable
This one can be a little more tricky, but is crucial to helping you achieve your goal. It is common to make excuses and abandon our goals, but we are essentially breaking promises we’ve made to ourselves. To help keep yourself accountable you can:
- Find an accountability partner: Have a friend or family member follow up with you on your goal or even work on it with you. They can make sure you stay on track, stay motivated and even provide guidance if you are unsure of how to proceed.
- Write yourself a letter: When you set your goal at the start of the year, write yourself a letter about why the goal is important to you. If you start to lose motivation, you can read it and be reminded of why you started in the first place.
- Give yourself a deadline: Pick a day and schedule something to remind you of the goal you want to achieve. Enter a 15-km race, buy a flight ticket, book a table for a celebratory dinner – something that you wouldn’t want to cancel and can work towards.
We wish all of you the best of luck with your goals for 2023!
