It's a tale as old as time. January first rolls around and everyone has a long list of new resolutions and expectations for themselves that they are bound on meeting. By the second week of the month (if not sooner) most people are either burnt out or lose motivation. In the following several paragraphs, we'll go over some tips and trick to make it easier for you to stick to your intentions all year (and life!) long.
The reason most are so motivated and adamant on changing so much at the start of the new year is because of something called the "fresh start effect" which explains how dated landmarks can be enough motivation for a change in behavior. Unfortunately, only about 12% of those who make New Year's resolutions described themselves as successful in achieving their goals. On the bright side though, those who actually set New Year's resolutions are 10 times more likely to change their behavior than those who don't make these goals.
Choose something concrete
Pick a goal that is tangible. For example, you're more likely to stick to a resolution worded as "run x miles a day" versus "run more." By setting specifics, there is less margin to stray off course. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, set daily changes that are easily achievable rather than the one overall task of "losing weight." If you'd like to spend more time with family, start with a couple of calls or Facetime's a week!
Plan ahead
A schedule is your best friend when it comes to sticking to your resolution. Creating check boxes that you can tick off creates a whole new sense of accomplishment and motivation behind completing a task. Creating a schedule also helps you plan ahead and think about the steps you need to take to achieve your resolution!
Get support
An accountability buddy is always a good idea. Share your resolution with a friend with who can encourage you along the way by joining you or even just remind you of your "why." If your goal is to get outside more, set up a day a week/month where you and a friend go for a hike!
Change isn't linear. Rest!
Long term change takes time. It takes failing a couple times and using those failures to adjust your goals to better fit your life. Don't beat yourself up if you skip some days at the gym or find yourself slacking a tiny bit on your resolutions. The most important thing is consistency. If it takes baby steps for you to continue onward, then that's better than stopping all together! For those with fitness goals, remember to take enough time to recover, as this will be crucial for growth in the long term to prevent burnout. If you find yourself struggling with proper recovery, we always recommend the VPod.
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Happy Healing (and Happy New Year!)