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7 Tips for Sticking With Your New Year's Resolutions

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Written by Joe Nightingale

Medical Doctor

30 Dec, 2022

As the new year approaches, many of us start thinking about the things we want to change or improve in the coming year. Setting resolutions can be a great way to motivate ourselves and make positive changes in our lives, but it can also be challenging to stick to them. According to a study by the University of Scranton, just 8% of people achieve their new year’s resolutions. So, how can we set ourselves up for success and make our resolutions stick? Here are a few tips:

1. Make your goals specific and achievable.

The more specific and achievable your goals are, the more likely you are to stick to them. Instead of saying “I want to lose weight,” try setting a specific goal like “I want to lose 10 pounds by eating healthier and exercising three times a week.” This gives you a clear roadmap for achieving your goal and makes it more tangible.

2. Write your goals down.

Research has shown that people who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them. Consider creating a goal setting journal or writing your goals on a whiteboard or sticky note where you can see them every day. This helps to make your goals feel more real and keeps them top of mind.

3. Create a plan and track your progress.

In addition to writing your goals down, it’s important to create a plan for how you’ll achieve them. This might involve breaking your goals down into smaller, more manageable tasks or setting deadlines for each step. It can also be helpful to track your progress so you can see how far you’ve come and what you still need to work on.

4. Find accountability.

It can be tough to stay motivated when we’re working towards our goals on our own. Consider finding someone to hold you accountable, whether it’s a friend, family member, or accountability partner. Having someone to check in with can help you stay on track and provide support when you’re feeling stuck.

5. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

It’s important to remember that no one is perfect and it’s okay to make mistakes or have setbacks. If you slip up or fall off track, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, focus on getting back on track and learning from any mistakes.

Failures are simply stepping stones to success - Zig Ziglar

6. Celebrate your successes.

It’s important to celebrate the small wins along the way. Each time you achieve one of your goals or make progress towards a larger goal, take a moment to celebrate and appreciate your hard work.

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop - Confucius

7. Stay flexible.

It’s possible that your goals or priorities may change as the year goes on. That’s okay! It’s important to stay flexible and open to new opportunities or challenges that may come up. Remember, the most important thing is to keep moving forward and making progress.

In conclusion, sticking to new year’s resolutions can be challenging, but it’s definitely possible with the right mindset and approach. By setting specific, achievable goals, writing them down, creating a plan, finding accountability, and celebrating your successes, you can increase your chances of success and make your resolutions stick.

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Joe Nightingale

Medical Doctor

Joe is a qualified medical doctor, graduating from Hull York Medical School, United Kingdom in 2017. He's an avid freelance writer and also one of the top science writers at Medium.

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