If you are like me, there have been some December 31sts in your life when you looked back at the year and thought “I didn’t keep all of my resolutions I had wanted for myself this year.”
Well, you’re not alone in realizing that those big promises you make to yourself too often lead to big disappointment.
The good news is, it doesn’t have to be this way. With a little effort, determination, and time you can rock your 2019 resolutions.
It starts with a dream of what you want for yourself. It takes 21 days to make or break a habit, so give yourself three weeks to make your changes stick, and consistently remind yourself of your dream for yourself.
I know if I really want something, the way I make a long-lasting change is by scheduling it in, repeating it daily, and not letting anything get in the way of the new habit I want to create.
Transformation comes with daily repetition. But first, you have to have the belief that you can fulfill your resolution with conviction. Treat it with respect, be loyal to it, and, most importantly, make it a priority.
Here are six tricks that I use to keep my New Year’s resolutions. They’ll work for you, too, so give them a try.
6 Tricks to Rock Your Resolutions
1. Set attainable goals
Small steps add up to big progress, and can give you ways to measure your success. I’ve found that achieving one small goal gives me the will to achieve the next—and so on. Too many people make resolutions that are impossible to maintain. Be easy on yourself.
Know that you will have days where you don’t want to do it and that is OK. Just don’t let one day turn into two.
Set realistic goals, and, if you slip up, don’t throw it all away. Know that tomorrow is a brand new day with brand new possibilities for you. Get right back on the train.
2. Get organized
The best way to get into a new habit is to make it easy to maintain. Organize your life to ensure you keep your promise to yourself. Hold yourself accountable every single day.
Let’s say you resolve to more alkalinity in your diet. Pledge to yourself that for the next 21 days you are going to begin each day with a big, green juice, or a green smoothie. That is the first step.
The second step is scheduling it in to your planner, your iPhone, your day. The third step is making it easy and accesible by purchasing a juicer or a blender. Or making sure you know the hours of the local juice shop if you prefer to buy. Make it non-negotiable.
After these 21 days you will see how that juice or smoothie is now part of your permanent routine.
You deserve this new, positive change—so make a promise to yourself, schedule it in, and keep it. Your body and your soul with thank you later.
3. Start a journal
Keeping a journal is a great tool for getting your thoughts out, getting your mind clear, and organizing how you feel and how you want to feel. I recommend beginning by writing down what you were grateful for and proud of last year and what you desire for this new year.
Make a list. Don’t overwhelm yourself, pick the things that are most important to you. Don’t worry about punctuation, sentence structure, or anything else—this is your private list, and you can write down anything you want.
Your journal is your go-to place to relive your successes and rant about your setbacks. Use it to recharge your positivity and discharge your disappointments. Trust me—venting on paper is a great way to let go of frustrations so that you can get on with meeting your goals.
4. Grab a buddy
Figuratively, I mean. It is always easier for me to hold myself accountable to something when I am making a change with someone else there to hold me accountable.
Whether you or a friend are doing the same habit-change or not, make an agreement to have hourly, daily, weekly, or even monthly check-ins to talk through your ups and downs and cheer each other on. Have someone to hold you accountable until your new habit is firmly in place.
5. Change your language to change your habits
Instead of “Ugh, I do not want to get out of my warm bed and go get my ass kicked at the gym,” turn that negative thought into a positive one: “I always feel so great after an awesome workout.” Be aware of self-doubt. You can’t attain what you want when you are constantly defeating yourself and talking down your efforts.
Talk to yourself the way your best friend would talk to you and support you, because in reality you are your own best friend. When you catch yourself being negative about yourself or your newfound awesome resolution/change say, “I love myself and I am going to do this.” Try to be aware of how you support or defeat yourself by language alone.
6. CELEBRATE!
No matter how far along you are in your 21-day challenge, celebrate your success! Do something in the realm of self-care to support yourself and encourage you to keep going.
A massage, a meditation, a yoga class—anything that will make you feel great in your body and want to keep going.
I hope you OWN 2019! Start now. Here is to amazing growth!
