Tips and Tools to Help You Stick to Your Resolutions

Because this year, it’s personal.

December 20, 2022

By: Hadiya Presswood

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Tips and Products to Help Stick to Those 2023 Goals

One famous New Year’s Day tradition is to set resolutions, goals that we hope to attain and transform ourselves by the year’s end. However, studies show that by February, the majority of New Year’s resolutions are abandoned, whether it’s from a lack of discipline, motivation, resources or another reason. If you’re truly committed to reaching your goals, here are a few suggestions on how to faithfully pursue them.

Create a Vision Board

A key to upholding your goals is to have motivation. It is essential to define your goals and why they are important to you, or you’ll lose the desire to go after them. Vision boards are personal reflections that serve as reminders to why you started. Once you know why you’re doing something, dedication will follow.

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Create S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Although the acronym has a few variations, S.M.A.R.T. goals are commonly known to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely. The purpose is to help you set achievable goals and create a framework for sticking to them. S.M.A.R.T. goals are the manageable parts that help you consider how, why and when you’ll attain your overarching goal.

Review Your Calendar & Reminders Frequently

If you tend to be forgetful, or are juggling many things, log all of your events into a central location so you can be alerted to everything that’s going on at once. You can even color-code events for work, kids, school, family and personal. And these days, there are all types of calendars available to best suit your style.

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Use an Agenda or Planner

While a calendar helps with reminding you of the big picture, using an agenda or a planner helps hone in on details. You can use a weekly breakdown to create checklists, plan your errands and review your schedule. And, there are many brands that customize planning tools, so you’ll be happy to reach for them!

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Use Sticky Notes

When the to-do list is too overwhelming, sticky notes can help you work through it. Since they famously come in multicolor packs, they can be used as color-coded reminders for different events. Once a task is completed, you can easily dispose of them, creating a physical and visual celebration for completing quick tasks.

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Set a Monthly Schedule to Break Down Hefty Tasks

Deciding to clean the entire house, go through storage spaces, working out or changing your entire diet can be daunting to attempt all at once. Smaller tasks may prove to be more progressive and easier to stick to. A posted schedule also encourages consistency since you’ll know what has been completed and when to start the next task.

Substitute or Reduce Parts

For some of us, going cold turkey or plunging right in just doesn’t work. Sometimes, you have to make mindful decisions and learn how to gradually incorporate new habits that will force out the old ones. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier, it may be easier to swap out snacks or ingredients for healthier substitutes item-by-item than to try to overhaul all at once.

Find an Accountability Partner or Support Group

While it is great to have the support of trusted friends and family, they may not truly understand the commitment you’re trying to undertake. Someone who is just as, or more, committed as you are may help provide that extra push. The ideal benefits of a group activity are reducing anxiety and fear, helping you stay committed, creating a positive environment and encouraging you.

Use Affirmations

It’s easy to get discouraged, impatient and want to give up. After all, we’re human! During those moments it’s crucial that you are kind to yourself and patient with yourself. Affirmations can help readjust your attitude towards challenges, embrace change and remind yourself that you are worthy and capable. They have become popular and there are plenty of daily affirmation books and apps available.

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