HAPPY NEW YEAR! How to make your New Year’s resolutions stick

Article by Shannon Mcgovern, Ma, NCC

Starting a new year is a wonderful time to create new goals and intentions for yourself. It feels like a fresh start or a clean slate, which is very motivating for some people; however, many fail to make their resolutions last throughout the year. Below are tips to set yourself up for success!

TiP ONE: Understand what your goals are and why they matter to you.

When thinking of what your resolutions or goals are, take some time to yourself to really reflect on this. Go to a quiet space in your house where you are able to engage in some thinking and active reflection. When thinking of goals, make sure to clearly define what they are in order to understand what you are actually working towards. For example, instead of setting a goal to focus on fitness, set a goal to make a gym membership and commit to going three days a week.

Once you think of some goals for yourself, reflect on why these matter to you. Adding meaning to your goals can help you stay motivated to achieve them. After you reflect on why your goals matter, write it down. This will provide you with the opportunity to look back and read about why these goals are important during times when achieving them might feel more difficult.

TIP TWO: Have a support system.

Tell other important people in your life about your goals so they can help hold you accountable. If no one else knows about your goals, it will be easier for you to let them go when life gets busy and stressful. Additionally, having a supportive person aware of your goals can also make them easier for you to achieve. For example, if your partner is familiar with your goal to go to the gym, then they can watch the kids while you do this.

TIP THREE: Be kind to yourself.

Give yourself praise when you feel yourself making progress. When you have a tougher day and something doesn’t get done, be compassionate with yourself and remember that not every day is perfect; however, don’t let one bad day be the excuse to give up altogether. Accept that it was a bad day and remember why this is important to you to continue.

TIP FOUR: Understand that achieving your goals won’t happen overnight.

Be patient with the process and celebrate the small achievements along the way.

TIP FIVE: Actively put your goals on your schedule.

If you have a calendar or planner that you utilize, write down your goals in this planner and actively schedule each week when you are going to make them happen. Block them out on your schedule as you would a work call or appointment. Life is busy and if they aren’t on your schedule, it will be more difficult to get it done.

TIP SIX: Engage in reflection.

Set aside time at the end of each month to actively reflect on how you are doing. Having this on your schedule will help to hold you accountable and will also give you a chance to praise yourself for the progress you made or recommit to getting back on track.

By Shannon Mcgovern, Ma, NCC

Shannon McGovern, MA is a therapist in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Shannon offers services in person at our New Hope location and online through our HIPAA compliant platform. She supports individuals and couples as they navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues and life transitions with children. To schedule an appointment click here.

A BETTER LIFE THERAPY

A Better Life Therapy was founded in 2013 with a passion for providing warm, compassionate services to individuals and families in Pennsylvania. Our team specializes in relationship health as well as individual mental health. Our team has expertise in areas like anxiety, grief, depression, pregnancy related issues, sexual issues, substance use and trauma.

We currently have in person offices in: