The trouble is, most of us then proceed to set entirely unrealistic resolutions that we ultimately fail.
Here are the most common failed resolutions, and how to approach them instead.
This post was originally published on December 30, 2013.
New Years resolutions are tricky.
It also violatestwo of the top rules for creating effective resolutions.
For starters, losing weight isnt very specific.
It can be five pounds or fifty.
Its also an admirable goal that actually encompasses a lot of little goals, which can be overwhelming.
So, if you want to make it more feasible, try aiming for those instead.
For example:
Im going to log my eating and workout habits.Forget changing your habits right off the bat.
From there, your goals arent abstract and lofty, theyre manageable and simple.
Tryone of these toolsto get started.
Removing a single unhealthy food or reducing portion sizes may not seem like much, but its practical.
So give yourself a set number of days, and work out those same days each week.
The key is tofit it into your routineandkeep yourself motivatedso you actually stick to it.
If you need some ideas,our Lifehacker Workoutmight be a good place to start.
Of course, there are hundreds of small changes you’re free to make that affect your weight.
The key is to choose one or two that easy to manage.
Once you get the hang of that, you could skip ahead to the last section.
If youve never done this before, start with ourAdult Budgeting 101guide andtrack it with a tool like Mint.
The best part about financial resolutions is that theyre easy to quantify.
If you want to improve your finances in the new year, start by picking a number.
I Plan to Enjoy Life, Worry Less, Be Happier, Etc.
At this point, you might be beginning to detect a pattern.
Despite being vague and directionless, resolutions like enjoy life and worry less maintain top-of-the-chart status.
Fortunately, theyre not impractical.
They just need a bit of direction.
I will schedule time to worry.You heard me.
You want to worry less?Put it in your schedule.
If your goal is to enjoy life, dont cave in.
Science will even back you up.
Itboosts your brain powerand improve memory,especially for the elderly.
Once thats done, you’re able to learn a new skill.
Resolutions arent just for January!
As we established earlier,specific goals are better.
it’s possible for you to even usethis extensionto always shop through that site.
If you want to make a positive change for others, this is a great way to start.
There are plenty of other ways tocontribute to charitieswithout spending any extra money.
Im going to work on being less angry/more self-controlled/more attentive.Being a better person is vague.
Id really like to stop punching so much stuff is specific.
If thats your problem, learn tomanage your seething rage productively.
Or you might try towork on your self-control.
Orimprove your attention span.
Whatever you do, narrow down the field.
I will meditate once a day.It maysound sillybut meditation has a host of psychological and physicalbenefitsassociated with it.
It can reduce stress, improve memory, boost creativity, and plenty more.
Plus, getting started isdead simple.
My New Years Resolution Is…
If you get right down to it, the cynical truth is that theres nothing special about New Years.
If youre going to set some resolutions, come prepared to track your progress.
Title photo bydolphfyn(Shutterstock).
Photos byBruce,Chris Potter,Wapster,Howard Lake,Lori Ann.
