It is one week into the new year and as usual there is a lot of talk about resolutions. Making New Year’s resolutions is a tradition that has been around for many years. People make New Year’s resolutions for a variety of things but they are usually all made with very good intentions. Some people want to develop healthier habits, others want to spend more quality time with loved ones, and others want to make better financial decisions. The good ideas behind the New Year’s resolutions go on and on – there are lots of ways people want to improve their lives. Sometimes making the New Year’s resolutions is much easier than actually keeping those New Year’s resolutions.

Keeping New Year’s resolutions can be a very difficult task. All of the good ideas behind the resolutions might not be enough to drive people to keep the resolutions. This happens for a variety of reasons but usually the resolutions are too complicated or broad. Often times the New Year’s resolutions are great ideas that haven’t been fully planned or thought out past the first idea. There are a few things to keep in mind when making, or modifying, current New Year’s resolutions.

Be Realistic
It is really important to make realistic New Year’s resolutions. It can be easy to think big and plan huge New Year’s resolutions. If you make New Year’s resolutions that are unrealistically hard or big, you are setting yourself up for defeat. Make sure the New Year’s resolutions and goals you set are within your reach, even if they require hard work.

Be Specific
If you make New Year’s resolutions that are too broad and unspecific, you will have a hard time taking steps to keep them. For example, instead of saying you will improve your financial situation, be specific and say you will pay off a certain amount on your credit cards. Specific New Year’s resolutions are much easier to complete because you will be able to see specific steps that will measure progress.

Small Steps
When you have specific New Year’s resolutions, you will be able to make specific steps that will help you keep your New Year’s resolutions. Make sure these steps are small and easily defined. It is encouraging when you can check things off your list, no matter what you are doing. Having your resolution broken into small, attainable steps will help you progress and keep your New Year’s resolutions.

Visible Reminders
Consider having a visible reminder of your New Year’s resolutions. Write yourself a note on your bathroom mirror, tape an encouraging reminder to the visor in your car, or do something else that you will see frequently. Visually reminding yourself of your New Year’s resolutions will help you keep them in your thoughts and make them easier to keep.

Checks and Balances
Sometimes having another person who is aware of your New Year’s resolutions will be a motivator to keeping them. If you are trying to lose weight, having a friend who you can report your progress to will help you stay on track. If you are tempted to spend unneeded money, texting a friend who can remind you of your New Year’s resolutions may keep you from spending.

These are just a few of the many ideas to help you keep your New Year’s resolutions. Have more ideas to help you keep your New Year’s resolutions? Let us know! We love to hear from you!