Many of us have a love-hate relationship with New Year’s resolutions. Sure, they’re great for goal-setting and manifestation, but how often do we go after them with a fervor after the first of the year, only to have them discarded by February? It’s a tale as old as time—one that makes forgoing those resolutions altogether seem like the best option.
That said, creating New Year’s resolutions isn’t something that should be shied away from. In fact, with the right tips and tricks, you can crush your resolutions like a pro and make your wildest dreams come true.
Allow me to introduce to you how to crush those New Year’s resolutions like a pro in just five steps. No matter what you’re going after, these tips and tricks will set you up for success in 2024. Keep scrolling to learn more.
How To Crush New Year’s Resolutions Like a Pro:
1. Get intentional with what you want
Sure, knowing you want to make more money, become healthier, move up the career ladder or find your soulmate is great and all, but if you want to reach your goals, you need to get specific. Think about what you really want. If you want to make more money or move up the career ladder, come up with a ballpark figure or promotion to aim for. Likewise, if you want to find your soulmate, get clear on what’s non-negotiable in a partner. No matter what it is, getting intentional will make your resolutions more attainable because you’ll have a clear goal to aim for.
2. Be realistic
The old saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day” applies here. While dreaming big is important, it’s equally important to be realistic. Trying to go from 0 to 100 will lead to burnout and your resolutions will fall by the wayside.
Instead, break your goal into small pieces you can work toward incrementally. For example, if you want to make an extra $25k this year, try setting aside an extra $2,000/month or $6,000/quarter. Similarly, if you want to meditate daily, start with a basic deep breathing practice for five minutes and increase gradually. Doing this will make everything feel less overwhelming and make it easier to cruise right on track.
3. Align yourself correctly
It’s not enough to just walk the walk—you have to talk the talk, too. Once you set your intentions for the new year, you must wake up every day and embody the person you want to be. Case in point? Don’t spend your free time at bars if you’re exploring sober curiosity, and put yourself out there if you’re trying to find your ideal partner.
No matter what goal you’re chasing, it’s imperative that you correctly align yourself with it. This means actively placing yourself in situations that can only be beneficial for you and your goals. Of course, you may have to discover new ways to fill your time, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. So, take advantage of new opportunities and be open to trying new things, and surround yourself with like-minded people.
4. Have an accountability system in place
Accountability is so important when it comes to reaching any sort of goal; it holds you responsible for your actions and helps you stay on track. So make sure you have an accountability system in place before tackling your New Year’s resolutions. This can be anything from a friend or coach you check in with, a therapist, or weekly journal to track your progress. Having an accountability system in place will also make you feel supported, which will motivate you even more.
5. Be patient with yourself
It’s easy to solely focus on the finish line, but it’s important to remember that patience is key. After all, nothing worth having in life comes easy, and things take time. For this reason, make sure you’re being gentle and compassionate with yourself. Likewise, give yourself grace if you stumble, and take everything one step at a time. This will keep you from feeling overwhelmed and tempted to quit.
At the end of the day, no one is perfect. We all mess up and make mistakes, but those mistakes don’t have to be the end of you. Instead, use them as learning opportunities to become the most flawless version of yourself yet.
