2013 will be a year full of aspirations, hope, outstanding achievements, drastic weight loss, you name it. Here are examples of the promises people make:
“In 2013, I’m gonna to cut people out of my life…
In 2013 I’m gonna hit the gym 5 times a week..
In 2013 I’m gonna be a better husband…
New Year.. New start… New me”
Oh Please! It’s that time of year where millions of people start making a wish list for self-improvement only until halfway down the line, they give up or hardly attempt to meet those targets. My question is, why would you wait till the end of the year to change your habits? Now don’t get me wrong I am an optimist and I do believe that dreams come true, but if you know you’re not disciplined enough to adopt the mindset of achieving, then avoid making empty promises.
You’ve probably worked out that I’m not a fan of New Year’s Resolutions, though if it has helped you in the past then stick it to it. For those who are determined to make a change or succeed regardless of the time of year , here are some tips:
1. Think before you talk
As part of the hype for the New Year, many people feel the need to tell the whole world on Facebook or Twitter about their new goals for the year, not as a personal choice, but because everyone is doing the same thing. I don’t mean to be a party pooper, but please don’t feel obliged. If you are considering making a new commitment, then do it for yourself, nobody else.
2. Understand your reason for the change
Whilst embarking on a challenge or a goal, critically think about your reasons for doing it. What do you hope to achieve from it? How will it improve your life? The more reasons you have to justify the new routine, the more motivation you’ll gain in fulfilling your objective.
3. Brainstorm
Take some time to write a list of your goals in a note book, group them according to their categories and select one or two goals that suits your main agenda.
4. Be Realistic
It’s so easy to get carried away once you start jotting down your ideas, but another thing you have to bare in mind is, how realistic is it for you to achieve this goal? Will this take a few months or years? What resources do I have in place to get to where I want to be? You also have to think about the obstacles you may encounter on the road to success.
5. Set milestones
As I mentioned to you earlier, about your main goal, create a plan of small targets that can help you fulfill your dream. This could be a one month, six months, or a year plan depending on your challenge. Then on a daily basis, create a to-do list of the things that needs be sorted. Make sure you record your progress and review the targets. Remember to prioritize each target so that it allows you to channel your energy on the most important ones.
6. Seek Assistance
If you’re finding any difficulties in managing your tasks, don’t hesitate to ask for help. This could be a family, friend or even a mentor that brings out the best in you. They can even help you to set your goals clearly and kick your butt when you’re in the procrastination mood. Having a great support network gives you more encouragement to excel.
7. Be prepared for Setbacks
The road to success is never straightforward, but you must be prepared for any setbacks that come your way, what will you do to overcome it? Don’t give up! You must have a back-up plan in these situations. It’s always good to take a step back, evaluate your goal and revise your strategy.
8. Reward Yourself
Whether you have achieved a small target or your main goal, make sure you time the time out to celebrate the satisfaction of your achievement. Look back on the steps you took to achieve this goal. All of this helps to increase your personal development and self-esteem.
Enhancing your skills should be an ongoing process , not for a seasonal period. On that note, I hope this year brings you, happiness, joy and prosperity. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
If you enjoyed reading and would like to share any ideas for my next post don’t hesitate to leave a comment. x
Author: By Linda Gyamfi Twitter: @LGyamfi
I agree with a lot of the points you’ve made, in particular the being realistic one as we tend to sometimes be dreamers wishing we could make our lives perfect in the space of a year. Also reviewing your goals are important and remembering the reason behind your resolution. Great points to take into consideration. Thanks!
Most definitely thanks for your feedback Temz I really appreciate it. I just thought to share my ideas from another perspective as an alternative, to better oneself should be ongoing not on a seasonal basis. x
New Year starts the day you decide to make a change. A calendar should not dictate when you begin to make changes. Elle, you have rightly said that our goals should be realistic attainable. That is the key to success. Great piece
I really enjoyed this article and much of what has been said is very true. I don’t bother with new years resolutions because I know that by Jan 2nd, they will all be forgotten! However, I’ll just say that I don’t think there’s any harm in reviewing the year that has just gone and maybe building on good habits. In my own case, it is trying to keep exercising. At the same time, if you want to change something, you can do that at any point in the year. and when you’re ready.
I love your quote, thanks so much xx
well said thanks for sharing we will also do our part and share it
Thank so much for your great feedback
New year resolutions don’t work at times well 90% don’t! So I don’t do resolutions rather I just make sure I hit my target for each year! Good piece of article keep it up
That post was potent Elle Gee! The! Key words are plan & being realistic. Its easy to get swept away in the hype. A calm mind, a peaceful disposition & persistence”ll have people less prone to giving up on pre-determined tasks. Rejection is temporary, failure isnt permanent (a word from the wise). Keep up the thought provocative posts Elle!
Some very good advice here and helpful indeed. This reminds me, I need to buy a diary! Thanks Elle x