It’s that time of year again! A chance to awaken and distance oneself from the mistakes of the past year. Time for reevaluation and breaking free from the constraints of previous times. It’s the time to carry on the positive actions we initiated last year. This is the moment at the start of the year to begin building a solid foundation for what you wish to accomplish in the coming days and months of the year. Have you already set resolutions regarding the challenges you faced last year? If so, do you desire for them to become a reality? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions.

WHAT IS NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION?

According to Wikipedia, New Year’s resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western World but also found in the Eastern World, in which a person resolves to continue good practices, change an undesired trait or behavior, accomplish a personal goal, or otherwise improve their behaviour at the beginning of a calendar year.

Beyond the two worlds mentioned in the preceding paragraph, New Year’s resolutions have spread around the world as customs. Many people all across the world participate in this phenomena. It’s a general popular culture connected to the ceremonies that take place when one year ends and another begins. To put it another way, New Year’s resolutions are promises or goals made by individuals throughout the holiday to attempt and improve their forthcoming year in some way.

People wouldn’t want the same obstacles (dangerous addictions, procrastination, etc.) that hindered or stopped their progress in managing their health, developing healthy relationships, and other areas in the previous year to recur in the current one and yield the same unfavorable outcomes for them. Thus, they make promises with some plans as backups in order to ensure that new year’s wine isn’t brewed into previous year’s bad bottles. But unfortunately, not all resolutions see the light of the day. Some are easily forgotten in the course of the year.

The lifespan of some is within the space of few days they are made. Some fade away slowly but unknowingly to the individuals when they achieved a little success. Some would die halfway when consistency or perseverance is no longer in sight. I have truly experienced this on multiple occasions. Funny enough, I would have forgotten half of the things on my lists of resolutions before I reached the quarter of the time I had allocated. I know you too may have experienced it as well, but I am grateful to the SMART model (explained in the following paragraphs) for helping me break free from this self-deception. If you could share your story of how you overcame this illusion, it would be greatly appreciated so that many others who are still caught in its web can gain knowledge and embrace emancipation.

As seen on Wikipedia: In a 2014 report, 35% of participants who failed their New Year’s Resolutions admitted they had unrealistic goals, 33% of participants did not keep track of their progress, and 23% forgot about them; the remaining respondents claimed they made too many resolutions.

A 2007 study by Richard Wiseman from the University of Bristol involving 3,000 people showed that 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail, despite the fact that 52% of the study’s participants were confident of success at the beginning. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, wherein resolutions are made in terms of small and measurable goals (e.g., “lose a pound a week” rather than “lose weight”).

Setting a New Year’s resolution is the first step toward positive change, but transforming those aspirations into reality requires a well-thought-out plan. If you’re finding it difficult to keep your resolutions, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you fulfill them and make this year your most successful yet.

• Create a Plan:

Develop a detailed plan outlining how you will achieve each smaller goal. Whether it’s adopting new habits, creating a schedule, or seeking professional guidance, having a plan enhances your chances of success. Creating a realistic plan goes a long way in giving your resolutions a life.

• Reflect and Define:

A deep reflection will assist you in the definition of your resolutions. Take a moment to reflect on the past year and identify areas for improvement. Define your resolution with clarity, choosing a specific and achievable goal that aligns with your values and aspirations. Be definitive and don’t lump everything together.

• Break it Down:

Rather than tackling a broad resolution, break it down into smaller, manageable goals.. These bite-sized steps make the journey less overwhelming and allow you to track your progress more effectively. It’s unrealistic and deceptive to lump everything together. In short, make it simple. This will help in keeping them on achievable radar.

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• Learn from Setbacks:

Understand that setbacks are a natural part of any journey. Instead of viewing them as failures, see them as opportunities to learn, adjust your approach, and move forward with renewed determination. It’s sad to see how many who made a resolution to stop watching and fapping to pornographic contents gave up so easily when they were hit with just a relapse. When you fall one time in the process of achieving your resolution, don’t lie there. Pick yourself up ten times and continue in your quest to achieve your resolution.

• Build a Support System:

Share your resolution with friends, family, or a support group. Having a network of encouragement and accountability provides the necessary motivation to stay on track, especially when faced with challenges or setbacks.

• Celebrate Milestones:

Many entertain their setbacks than they celebrate a little success achieved in their resolution journey. Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements along the way. Whether it’s reaching a specific milestone or successfully completing a smaller goal, these celebrations reinforce your commitment and boost motivation.

• Reflect and Adjust:

Regularly reflect on your progress and adjust your approach if necessary. This ongoing self-assessment ensures that you stay focused on your resolution and adapt to evolving circumstances.

• Prioritize Self-Care:

Your journey toward fulfilling your resolution requires a healthy mind and body. Prioritize self-care by ensuring adequate sleep, proper nutrition, and regular exercise. A healthy foundation contributes to increased resilience.

• Set SMART Goals:

In the course of my research on this write-up, I came across this SMART model which I know it’s also helpful in achieving your resolutions when properly applied. It means, you need to make your goals;

Specific: know exactly what actions you’ll take. “Goal pursuit requires focused attention,” says Elliot Berkman, a psychologist at the University of Oregon. “Our minds need to be focused on one thing,” he says. So, clarity is key.

Measurable: Have a plan to measure your progress. A reality check provides us a view of our progress.

Achievable: The goal must be doable and not just unrealistic ones.  

Relevant: Figure out why the goal is important.

Time-bound: Nothing focuses the mind like a deadline. Deadlines make things happen

All these ensure that your objectives are clear, realistic, and come with a deadline, enhancing your chances of success.

• Stay Flexible:

Be open to adjusting your plan as needed. Life is dynamic, and flexibility is key to overcoming unexpected challenges while staying true to your resolution.

By following these step-by-step guidelines, you’ll not only set a meaningful resolution but also pave the way for a successful journey towards self-improvement in the coming year. Remember, every small step counts towards the fulfillment of your resolution.

Written by James T. Abel Adesitimi

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