5 Ways to Maintain Your New Year's Resolution

The Ultimate Guide to Maintain Your New Year’s Resolutions

Only 8% of Americans achieve their New Year’s resolutions, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology at the University of Scranton. Unfortunately, many people make them on New Year’s Eve, then forget about them within a few weeks or allow their minds to convince them that they will never be able to achieve their objectives, abandoning the idea. If this describes you, use the following advice to maintain your resolutions well into the new year:

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5 ways to maintain your New Year’s resolution:

1. Pursue excellence rather than perfection

No one is perfect, so if you fall off the wagon, don’t berate yourself. Simply pick yourself back up and remind yourself that every day is a fresh start. Regardless of how far you have fallen, it is simple to brush yourself off and get back on the horse. Just because it’s taking longer than you anticipated to reach your objective does not mean you should give up and abandon your resolutions. Ultimately, you may be only a few feet away from the summit without even realizing it, so if it feels right in your heart, continue to pursue your goals.

2. Keep in mind your “why”

Why do you want to accomplish your self-set objectives? How will this enhance your life and make you feel more content? Refer to your “why” frequently to remind yourself why you embarked on this journey in the first place. When you recall why you established a particular objective, you are much more likely to achieve it.

3. Engage in affirmative affirmations

If you don’t already, devote a few minutes each morning to set your daily goals. Set aside time to be alone with your thoughts and become aware of any negative thought patterns. Then, attempt to transform these negative thoughts into positive affirmations by recalling all the reasons why you can keep your resolutions. Say to yourself, “I am powerful and capable of achieving any goal I set” or “Nothing will prevent me from achieving my goals.” This will help you stay on track and set the tone for your day.

Also, do not be afraid to practice positive affirmations whenever you need them, be it at your desk at work, the gym, or school. Simple, positive reminders can greatly assist in maintaining focus and energy.

4. Establish small, measurable objectives to maintain motivation

If you have a number of lofty yearly objectives, you may become disheartened if you believe you must climb mountains all at once to realize your dreams. Instead, aim for the ledges along the way, and establish reasonable time frames for achieving each objective. This will make your goals seem more achievable and keep you motivated.

For instance, you may wish to lose fifty pounds. This can be a daunting task, especially if you have never established a consistent exercise routine. However, you can achieve your overall objective more easily if you divide it into smaller objectives. Perhaps you could set a goal to lose five pounds per month for ten months or ten pounds per month for five months. Set goals that won’t overwhelm you, and be sure to congratulate yourself whenever you reach a milestone.

5. Substitute positive thoughts for negative ones

As previously stated, negative thoughts can sap your energy and make you anxious about the achievement of your objectives. Instead of worrying, putting yourself down, and becoming angry with yourself, empower yourself with positive thinking and positive energy. Recognize negative thoughts without becoming attached to them. Simply allow them to enter your mind, and then shift your focus to something else. Meditation is a great way to practice this because it enables you to act as a silent observer of your thoughts, which will help you recognize negative thought patterns.