New Year, New You

By Rakshita Mishra

A new year brings with it the symbolism of a fresh start and new beginnings. As this festive time approaches, it has become a social custom to set goals and make plans for oneself in order to feel a sense of accomplishment for the coming year. People eagerly climb the ladder of ambition, setting resolutions with determination and promising to follow through with them throughout the year.

However, it is often said that these resolutions don’t last beyond the last week of January. So, why is it that people struggle to maintain them? To answer this question, let’s first understand the term “resolution.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a resolution is a promise one makes to oneself on the first day of the New Year to adopt good habits and eliminate bad ones from their routine. Typical examples of New Year’s resolutions include eating healthy, exercising regularly, meditating, and learning new things, among others.

The problem most of us face lies in the application, duration, and effectiveness of these goals. It is crucial to know how to implement these changes efficiently in our lives before committing to them.

So, here are some helpful steps and tricks to improve the outcome of our goals:

Number of goals: Limit the number of resolutions you want to commit to. It is recommended to have a maximum of 4-6 goals so that you can focus on them effectively, rather than overwhelming yourself with 10-15 goals that you may eventually forget about.

Realistic approach: Be realistic about your environment, emotions, and resources when setting a resolution. It is important to envision goals that align with your circumstances because it is easy to be passionate and write down things that may not be feasible in the near future or require unreasonable investments.

Reason: Find the “why” behind your goals. While it’s natural to be influenced by others, it is important to understand your own motives when setting a goal. It’s okay to seek inspiration, but don’t blindly follow someone else’s path. Do what works best for you.

Leniency: The key to maintaining the effectiveness of a resolution is to be lenient with yourself. It’s alright if you falter in following a habit for a couple of days in January. Simply pick it up again the next day, week, or even month. Don’t get demotivated too quickly. This is a common reason why people fail to follow through with their resolutions.

Analysis: Once you have established your goals and motives, break them down into 4-5 steps to tackle each one. For example, if your goal is to exercise more, the analysis and steps towards achieving it could include checking your schedule to find dedicated time for exercise, finding the type of exercise you enjoy, and identifying suitable sources such as a coach, trainer, gym, or exercise buddy.

Get started: The most important tip is simply to get started. Taking that first step is what truly matters.

Additionally, to stay motivated, consider creating a vision board or a page where you write down all your resolutions in an appealing visual format. Add pictures and quotes that inspire you to stay focused and committed.

In conclusion, setting resolutions for the New Year is a popular tradition, but maintaining them requires careful planning and execution. By following these tips and tricks, you can increase your chances of achieving your goals and enjoying a successful year ahead.