So we’ve all made it through the first few weeks of our new years resolution. Now we are starting to see the light. That moment when the goal hits us in the face and we suddenly feel the value of all the hard work we’ve put in. When we feel that sense of gratification for our accomplishment and all those moments of hard work that were invisible to everyone else. Yes, even after we accomplish that small goal, is that where the resolution ought to end? Or if you start off having a frustrated time meeting your goals, what should you do to keep your motivation and commitment going? Here are some tips for how to keep your 2014 resolutions.
How To Keep Your 2014 Resolutions
Start Small
If you’ve already started and you’ve been meeting all your goals (maybe even exceeding them), don’t be afraid to lighten the load a bit after the first couple of weeks. If you start off big you might be reverting back to an all or nothing mentality which is classified as a distorted method of thinking in Cognitive Behavoiral Therapy. What this means is that we resort to thinking about things in all or nothing terms. “I’m either going to work out every day or I’m not going to work out at all.”
By starting off small and slowly learning to love your daily workout routine, your daily guitar practice, or your daily dancing, you’ll learn that you can keep up the practice every day.
Focus On Creating The Habit Not Completing the Goal
Having a goal can sometimes be daunting. When you are constantly trying to reach your goal, you might focus on the end result rather than the journey. If you keep getting close and the fear of failure sets in, then you might be intimidated by the fact that you aren’t meeting your goal and when that fear sets in, it could be demotivating unless you get the results you want. So focus on creating a habit and not just achieving the goal. You’ll feel more accomplished and less anxious.
Stick To One Resolution At A Time
If you have a long list of resolutions, this might be coming back to bite you in the but because this is also similar to the all or nothing habit. It could also be the result of having procrastinated on your goals and now you are trying to compensate by changing everything at once. So if you have a long list, start with one at a time. Wait a few months until you know you can add something else to your schedule and then proceed to the next item.
Talk About It With Your Friends and Family
Part of accomplishing something is about getting the support from your friends and family. When you start thinking about giving up or the slightest feelings of demotivation creep up behind you, go talk to your friends who are also going through the same struggles. They will help you get through it and support you. Don’t let shame or guilt keep you from communicating the hardship and difficulties of becoming a better person.
Don’t Beat Yourself Up Or Overload Yourself With Pressure
You will never be perfect. You will never achieve every goal you can think of. Part of learning to be happy and learning to be healthy is accepting the imperfections of being a human and making the best with what you have. You are not a victim to your condition. You are the only one who can focus on making each moment a moment of accomplishment and gratitude rather than sitting in stagnancy focusing on everything you lack.
Keep Up The Good Work!
Jeremy Smith is a writer for the McMinn Law Firm in Austin, Texas. His whole office is focusing on keeping their resolutions so they talk about it daily.
