Better Late Than Never: 5 Tips on How to Start Your Resolutions Now
By: Laura M. Howell
Ready. Set. Go. And Nothing.
The New Year is supposed to bring a wave of motivation into our lives. We're supposed to feel like when the clock strikes midnight on December 31 the games can officially begin. But, lets face it this type of scenario is rare. In fact, most people start the New Year off with a family and holiday hangover. Unfortunately, family and holiday hangovers can't be cured with a few tylenols and a McDonald's Coke. Nope, family and holiday hangovers can only be cured with a few FREE weekends and a couple evenings of silence and solitude. Fast forward to the end of January and you're mentally prepared to kick that New Year's goal into high-gear and dust off the motivation shoes. If you're reading this and nodding yes, you've come to the right article. I'm hear to tell you that it's normal and probably healthy to give yourself a few weeks of recovery in January before you really start your New Year goals. In the next few paragraphs I will ease your New Year's resolution remorse and offer you some realistic tips on how to start your resolutions now.
What's The Advantages To Starting Your Resolutions on January 1st Anyhow?
There's still time. There's nothing magical about January 1. The main reason people use it as a resolution stamp is because it's the beginning of a new calendar year. Let's face it a goal is not going to work any better or worse if you start it on January 21. In fact, it may be even more effective because you will have given yourself ample time to get your life ready to adapt to the behavior or lifestyle change. Because lets face it most New Years resolutions do not last. Referring to the statistics, only 64 percent last longer than the first month, and only 46 percent last longer than six months. And being older and wiser apparently doesn't apply to resolutions because only 14 percent of people over 50 actually achieve their resolution compared to 39 percent of people in their 20’s. Perhaps the key to achieving goals is taking the "New Year" out of the equation and giving yourself a break (imagine that). Starting on your resolutions after the New Year means you're deciding to take a logical and self-loving approach to your New Year's goals by waiting until you're completely ready to start. Besides, late is always 100% better than never.
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5 Tips on How to Start Your Resolutions Now
- Offer Yourself Grace. The first tip on how to start your resolutions now is to go into the change being okay with a few slips. No one is perfect, you're probably going to make a few mistakes along the way to a goal, and that's okay. The important thing is that you learn how to bounce back and get right back on track.
- Find Your Community. The second tip on how to start your resolutions now is to find support from a community. There is strength in numbers. We are so fortunate to live in a world where we can be connected with people from all over the world. Use the unbelievable advantage of community to help you reach your goals. Whether it be a Facebook group, online forum or even a local chapter, it's all good. Support groups are out there and the information is only a few letters on a keyboard away.
- Set Realistic Goals. The third tip on how to start your resolutions now is to pick a goal that's doable. I'm not telling you to not "aim for the stars" what I am suggesting is that you aim for half-way to the stars, and when you get half- way than go all the way up. Setting too big of goals can seem overwhelming. If you set smaller goals that all lead up to your grand plan you will allow yourself small victories, and small victories can be the exact fuel you need to keep reaching for the big star way-up-high.
- Choose The Right Resolution. The fourth tip on how to start your resolutions now is all about balance. Choosing the "right" goal means picking a goal that will make your life and your families life better. It's a goal that you can physically, financially and spiritually bring yourself to do. Don't make a goal that will ultimately cause you extra stress and anxiety. These tip of goals can send you into the complete opposite direction to where you want to go because the stakes were simply not right.
- Just Do It. The final tip on how to start your resolutions now is to to simply start. You don't need to start on New Year's, but you do need to start when you're in the motivation stage, which is now. If your reading this and still contemplating, than this tip is for you. Start now. The hardest part of any goal is simply starting. You need this. I promise the feeling of not trying is worse than failure. You got this. This is going to be your year. You Can Do It!
Are you late to the resolution game? No Worries. What is your goal and when do you plan on starting it?
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