Did you make a New Year’s resolution for 2014? Do you need help keeping that resolution?
I heard on the radio that 68% of people will not make a New Year’s resolution this year. I understand why they won’t make them because, as everyone knows, resolutions tend to be difficult to keep. Therefore, they may feel that it’s pointless to participate in the ritual. I used to feel that way too. However, this year I’m taking a different approach. After recently completing a hiking challenge, I realized some of the reasons why I was able to finish the challenge. I’m going to apply the same strategy I used for the hiking challenge to making and keeping a resolution.
1) The resolution should be goal specific and realistic. It can be a series of smaller attainable goals throughout the year or goals that start out small and get bigger throughout the year.
The hiking challenge consisted of 8 hikes over 4 months.
2) Find someone to make the resolution with you or share it on social media to keep yourself accountable and motivated. If it is too personal to share, then write it down and keep it somewhere visible or easily accessible.
I hiked with my son and shared it on Facebook.
3) Document your progress. This will also help to keep you accountable and motivated. You can make a checklist, take pictures, or share updates on social media.
We documented each hike on Facebook, posted pictures, and completed the challenge form.
4) Make it fun! Think of it as a challenge and plan incentives throughout the year. Also plan a big reward for yourself at the end, once you’ve reached your goal.
We received a hiking staff and commemorative tag for the hiking challenge. Also, we celebrated by baking, decorating, and eating a cake together.
I feel those are four helpful steps in the process of making and keeping a New Year’s resolution. Also, I recently heard about a very positive and motivating website, www.becauseisaidiwould.com. The site is about keeping promises for the simple reason, “because I said I would.” It has a very interesting and inspiring story of how the site began in 2012 and how much it has grown since then. There are many amazing stories of people who have made and fulfilled a promise and shared it on the site. The site offers promise cards that can be printed or requested to be mailed. This looks like a great way to make and keep a “new” New Year’s resolution this year!
Did you make any resolutions this year? How are they coming?