How to achieve your 2021 new year's resolution
More people set goals and targets at the beginning of the year than any other time, with nearly half of all Americans set at least one new year's resolution. Unfortunately despite this good intention, only 8 percent accomplish their resolution, according to Forbes and a whopping 80 percent of resolutions fail by the second week of February.
Amongst the Americans that set new year’s resolutions, 71 percent make a resolution to diet or eat healthier, 65 percent want to exercise more and 54 percent want to lose weight, according to a survey. So in terms of these statistics, how can you stick to your new year’s resolution? In this article we’re going to cover what you need to know about setting and achieving goals according to research.
1. Invest in your goal
If your resolution is to get fit and you don’t have a gym membership, fitness equipment, a workout plan to follow, or a coach… you’re setting yourself up for failure.
You may decide that you’re going to get fit by running outside everyday, but on a freezing January morning at 6am, it is less appealing and ultimately unrealistic. If you don’t invest in your goal, you have nothing to lose by NOT following through with it… so why would you do it?
Rather than making it harder for yourself, join a gym, get a coach, and/or buy a workout plan… essentially: invest in your goal, and in yourself. You’ll have more to lose if you don’t follow through.
2. Remind yourself of your goals daily
Are you the type of person that sets goals but then forgets about what the goals even were? If this is the reason you’re slipping up and failing to achieve your goals, try writing them out and sticking them somewhere that you see throughout the day like your fridge or on your mirror - making a vision board is also effective.
Reminding yourself of your goals will help you to align your daily actions and habits.
3. Make SMART goals
SMART goals stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-based. When you’re setting goals go through this list and ensure that you fully understand the real-life implications of the goal before you set it.
Here’s a non-SMART goal: I will lose weight. Here’s a SMART goal: I will lose 3 lb from now until March 1 2021 by going to spin 3 x per week and sticking to a diet plan given by my coach. Can you see the difference?
4. Be realistic
If you’ve never exercised a day in your life, don’t make your first new year’s resolution to be ‘go to the gym for 2 hours everyday’. You may be able to do it, but for the majority of people, this is unrealistic and far fetched. This isn’t to say you can’t do it, but it’s to say that setting unattainable goals will make you feel like they’re impossible to reach and you’ll lose motivation.
Treat your goals like stepping stones to the next, start with ‘I want to work out twice this week’ and then three times, four times and then ‘I want to work out four times a week for an entire month’. Small steps lead to big progress!
If you want 2021 to be the year that you actually stick to your new year’s resolution and don’t just become another statistic, follow these steps when setting your goals and you’ll be closer to achieving them.
How I can help you
If you need some accountability or guidance, I offer 1-2-1 health and fitness coaching online, specializing in holistic health practices like mindfulness and gut health. As a holistic health coach, I help my clients set and achieve their health goals through accountability practices, customized, clear nutrition advice and self-care and wellness practices that make you feel amazing every step of the way in your journey to a healthier you.
By the end of the year, my clients have transformed their lives and achieved something truly great. Wouldn’t you like to feel like that?! If that’s a yes, please click here to book a FREE 30 minute health coaching consultation to discuss your goals and how I can better assist you: https://p.bttr.to/3eEIaxb