Cover Photo: Shvets Production, pexels
Creating a plan for the new year is nothing new; for years we’ve all been setting expectations to hit the gym, eat better, drink more water, or finally let that old grudge go. Every year though, millions of Americans seem to inexplicably abandon these goals before the spring is through. In order to stick with your 2023 resolution though, here are a few psychology-backed tips:
Be realistic.
We all want immediate, lasting change, but humans are creatures of habit. This year, rather than making your resolution something like “drink at least eight glasses of water every single day,” aim for something more manageable, like “drink at least three glasses of water after work each night.” This is a more approachable goal, and leads into our next tip as well.
Don’t be too open-ended.
When people give resolutions like “stop arguing with my partner” or “eat healthier”, they almost never stick to them. Some of that comes from how vague the resolution. After all, some arguments are important, and “eating healthier” doesn’t look the same for everyone. Having more specific resolutions increases the likelihood of you sticking to them, and makes it easier to measure your progress as the year goes on.
Fake it till you make it.
This old adage is actually backed by research. Scientists have found that simple changes of phrase like “I get to go” rather than “I have to Go” can actually improve your mood and association to the task. As much as you don’t actually want to finally clean that garage, saying that you do might be the little push you need towards finally completing it.
You can do it.
Sometimes you just aren’t going to have it in you. Some days are harder than others, and there will be times when you fail to make progress on your resolution. Don’t let that ruin the rest of the year though. It’s easy to forget your resolution a few times, think “what’s even the point” and then give up. But stick it out. You’re allowed to have a few bad days, that’s life. Even if you fall off, just keep doing your best to get back at it tomorrow.
written by Brady George.
