The New Year is often associated with a spirit of renewal and reflection, which prompts us to formulate New Year's resolutions. These goals, usually focusing on self-development, health or life changes, become a kind of atlas of our ambitions. - However, despite the desire to improve, usually many of us experience difficulties in keeping these resolutions for the long term, says Karolina Krupa-Kotara, MD, PhD, a psychodietitian from the Department of Epidemiology at the Silesian Medical University in Katowice.
Making New Year's resolutions is one thing, but keeping them in the flow of everyday life is a significant challenge. Factors such as lack of motivation, routine or unforeseen obstacles can complicate the realisation of our goals. It is worth considering strategies that will help us confront these challenges, maintaining our determination and achieving the results we want.
When choosing New Year's resolutions, it is crucial to formulate goals that are specific and measurable. Instead of general intentions, precise goals enable you to better track your progress and achieve success. Setting clear steps to achieve helps to focus attention on a specific path forward, which in turn helps to keep you motivated.
While ambition is valued, overly ambitious goals can lead to frustration and discouragement. It is important that resolutions are realistic and tailored to our capabilities. Avoiding overly grandiose challenges avoids feelings of failure and maintains the ability to maintain goals in the long run. Also, small successes on the way to bigger goals can build motivation and keep us on course.
Embarking on New Year's resolutions becomes more achievable when we break down major goals into smaller, more manageable steps. This step avoids feeling overwhelmed by the size of the task and allows you to focus on specific steps. Small successes on the way to achieving a goal can act as a motivator, sustaining our determination.
Introducing a timetable also involves setting realistic deadlines for each step. Creating a specific time plan helps maintain discipline and allows for better monitoring of progress. Setting deadlines introduces a time element, which mobilises action and reduces the risk of postponing action.
Motivation is key to maintaining New Year's resolutions, and one effective tool is a reward system. Establishing rewards for achievements allows small successes to be celebrated and maintains enthusiasm to continue working. The rewards don't have to be big; even a token accolade to yourself can work wonders in maintaining your goals.
Developing and analysing progress on a regular basis is key to sustainably maintaining New Year's resolutions. Systematic evaluation allows you to identify areas for improvement and recognise achievements. When difficulties are encountered, flexible adaptation of the action plan is key. Being able to respond to changing conditions promotes maintaining the spirit of resolutions, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.
Finding social support
Sharing New Year's resolutions with loved ones not only makes it easier to stay motivated, but also creates an extra layer of support. Relatives can offer words of encouragement, tackle challenges together and celebrate achievements. Support from loved ones increases a sense of togetherness and responsibility, which has a positive impact on keeping resolutions.
In turn, joining a support group, whether online or offline, provides an extra boost. Journeying together with like-minded people enables the exchange of experiences, advice and provides a motivating environment. Both online, in virtual communities, and offline, in support group meetings, one can find inspiration and understanding, which strengthens the ability to maintain New Year's resolutions.
Maintaining New Year's resolutions requires not only commitment, but above all perseverance. The process of changing habits or achieving goals is not always easy, but it is by working on them consistently that lasting results can be achieved. Persistence is the key element that leads to success in achieving resolutions. Even the smallest steps on the way to achieving one's goals are important.
- Therefore, it is important to consciously celebrate every success, even the smallest one. It is a ritual that lifts spirits, boosts motivation and reinforces the belief that efforts are worthwhile. Celebrating achievements is a key element in maintaining a positive approach to the process of achieving New Year's resolutions, concludes Karolina Krupa-Kotara, MD.
