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10 Steps to Reboot Your New Year’s Resolutions (Because I’ve Been There Too!)
Ah, New Year’s resolutions – those ambitious promises we make to ourselves under the glittery fireworks of hope and too much champagne. We all start the year with a burst of optimism only to find ourselves a few weeks later, binge-watching a new show, while our resolutions sit untouched. If you’re reading this, chances are your New Year’s resolutions are currently collecting dust in a forgotten corner of your mind, much like my gym membership card. But fear not! I’m here to share my personal “Been there, done that” guide to getting back on track. After all, the best time to start was yesterday; the second best time is now.
1. The “OOPS” Moment: Embracing your Humanity.
First, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room: Yes, we’ve procrastinated. But hey, recognizing this is the first step to change! (I once waited till July to start my New Year’s resolution; talk about fashionably late.) Okay, so you’ve slipped up. Join the club! The first thing I learned was to embrace my humanity. We are not robots programmed to follow instructions flawlessly. Life happens, motivation wanes, and sometimes, we just want to stay in bed. Accepting this was liberating. It’s not about falling off the wagon; it’s about getting back on. Remember, self-compassion is your friend.
“Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s a stepping stone on the path to it.”
2. Break It Down: Baby Steps for the Win!
I once thought I could overhaul my entire life overnight. Spoiler: I couldn’t. The game-changer? Breaking down my goals into tiny, manageable steps. The idea of running a marathon is overwhelming, but running a mile? Doable. Break down your goals into tiny, less intimidating steps. I started with 10-minute workouts and eventually worked my way up. If you want to eat healthier, start by including one vegetable in every meal. Small steps are less daunting and more achievable. It’s about progress, not perfection.
“Success starts with a single step.”
3. Find Your Tribe: Shared Journeys Are More Fun!
Connect with others who share your goals. I cannot stress this enough: find your people. Whether it’s an online community, a local group, or just a friend with similar goals, having support makes a world of difference. We share our struggles, celebrate our wins, and keep each other accountable. It turns the journey into a shared adventure rather than a solo mission.
“Surround yourself with those who lift you higher.”
4. Set Reminders: Let Your Phone Nag You!
In this era of technology, it is important to use our gadgets wisely. I find it helpful to set daily reminders on my phone for my goals. These reminders can be for anything from drinking more water to stretching, or even just a motivational quote. I rely on my phone to remind me of everything, including my goals. A daily alarm that says “Hey, remember that thing you promised yourself?” can be surprisingly effective. (Just don’t get sidetracked with social media)
“Live with intention; don’t let life just happen to you, make it happen for you.”
5. The Power of Visualization: Dream It, Do It!
Visualization isn’t just daydreaming; it’s a powerful tool. I spend a few minutes every day visualizing myself achieving my goals. Feeling the emotions and visualizing the success can be incredibly motivating. It’s like giving your brain a preview of what’s to come. Spend time visualizing your goals. I used to imagine myself being an actress on TV. Spoiler: I eventually did it, and it felt as good as I imagined! (Ok Ok it was just background but it was still amazing!)
“Dream big and make it happen.”
6. Reward System: Bribe Yourself, It Works!
We all love rewards, and they can be a fantastic motivator. Set up a reward system for yourself. For every week I stuck to my workout routine, I treated myself to something small yet enjoyable, like some flowers for myself, or something special just for me. It makes the journey enjoyable and gives you something to look forward to.
“Celebrate progress, no matter how small.”
7. Be Realistic: Tailor Your Goals.
Sometimes, our eyes are bigger than our stomachs when it comes to setting goals. If your resolution feels too overwhelming, it’s okay to scale it back. Adjusting my goal from an hour of daily exercise to 30 minutes made it feel much more doable. Remember, it’s better to achieve a smaller goal than to give up on a larger one. Baby Steps will still get you to where you want to be!
“Success starts with a single step.”
8. Perfection Is Overrated.
Mistakes and slip-ups are part of the process. I learned to laugh at my blunders and move on instead of beating myself up. Did you skip a workout? Did you get an extra slice of cake? It’s not the end of the world. The key is to get back on track, not to be perfect.
“Strive for progress, not perfection”
9. Celebrate the Small Wins.
Every little step towards your goal is worth celebrating. Did you drink an extra glass of water today? Pat yourself on the back. Celebrating small victories keeps the momentum going and makes the journey enjoyable. It’s going to take some time to create those new habits. But you will be glad you did what it took to get there!
“Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.”
10. Remember Why You Started: Your ‘Why’ Is Powerful!
Reconnect with the reason behind your resolution. My ‘why’ was to feel healthier and more energetic – a reminder that kept me going. Reconnect with the reason behind your resolution. Whether it’s to feel healthier, to learn a new skill, or to save money, your ‘why’ is a powerful motivator. Whenever I felt like giving up, I reminded myself why I started in the first place. This always helped in steering me back on course.
“Set goals that make you jump out of bed in the morning.”
So, there you have it, my fellow resolution procrastinators. It’s never too late to dust off those goals and make them happen. Let’s turn our “I’ll start tomorrow” into “I’m starting now.” Remember, every day is a new opportunity to start fresh. Here’s to restarting our resolutions and actually sticking to them this time – I’m with you every step of the way!
YOU GOT THIS!
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