10 Tips to Reach your New Year’s Resolutions Before the End of the Year

It’s a new year once again. Some people have sworn off to making New Year’s resolutions, because they can’t seem to find a way to stick to it, and make it work for them. If you’re one of those people who have become unmotivated before or by the end of January, here’s a tip for you: Look at it in a different perspective. Instead of a New Year’s resolution where you have a whole year to reach your goals, make it short term.

Here are 10 more tips to make your New Year’s resolutions attainable

1. Planning
I know. You have seen me write this all the time, but it’s true and I can’t stop repeating it because you have to plan before you can execute. How will you reach your goal if you don’t know what steps to take to get where you want to be, right? Don’t be too vague in your steps because being too general will push you off track or in the wrong direction. You have to be clear in the direction you’re headed.

2. Daily Planner or Calendar
Use a daily planner or calendar to write down your tasks for the day. These tasks are necessary things to do to work towards reaching your resolutions.

3. Mentor, Support Group or Coach
People fail to reach their New Year’s resolutions because they don’t have someone pushing them or helping them work through their challenges. Look for a mentor, join a support group, or find a motivational coach to help you with tough obstacles; or to just give you a kick in the butt.

4. Be Realistic
You don’t have to aim so high that you make it impossible to reach your goals. You want to make goals you can reach in three months or six months. You don’t need to wait until the end of the year. Anyone would lose motivation if the target was 12 months. Oftentimes, making smaller goals is necessary to achieve the bigger goals. It’s all part of the process.

5. Believe It, Want It
You’ve heard of the saying, “when you put your complete focus on it and you really want it in your heart and you feel it, it will manifest into reality”. You have to believe in yourself that you can do what you set out to do. If you want it bad enough, it will happen. A positive attitude and thinking will take you a long way.

6. Celebrate your Achievements
Give yourself small rewards for the successes you make. You deserve it.

7. Expect Failure
Don’t beat yourself up when you hit bumps in the road. It’s bound to happen and when you know it can happen (and it will), learn from it, pick yourself up, and keep moving forward. Think of these blips as a detour. When you continue on the road, you will still get to your destination, but it will take a little bit longer.

8. Track your Progress
Take the time to revisit your goal planning. Are you still on the right path to reaching your goal? Do you need to redefine your steps or action?

9. Be Aware of Self-Sabotage
Many times people do this unconsciously because they are fearful of what may come their way. Sometimes when people find success, they get scared and sometimes they may feel like they don’t deserve it. Usually when a great opportunity appears in front of them, self doubt creeps in. These are all acts of self-sabotage. A mentor/coach can help you get through this. Remember, we instill fear into ourselves. We are responsible for this negative action.

10. Empowerment
Be with people who empower you, not with people who are toxic and will bring you down. People who don’t want you to succeed will be harsh with their words. People who want you to succeed are always encouraging, supportive and uplifting. Please understand, you do not need “yes men” in your life either. Criticism can be a good thing–only if it is given by someone with the right heart and intention. If it is hurtful, constant, or just plain mean and negative–then it is NOT beneficial criticism.

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved