Have you made New Year’s resolutions in the past only to forget about them before the end of January? Most of us have, but it doesn’t have to be that way. New Year’s resolutions can be healthy, productive ways to set goals for the coming year and to make some changes that can help us live our best lives and be our best selves. Here are six tips for sticking to your 2020 resolutions:
- Choose realistic resolutions. Here’s where things can go wrong right off the bat. If you choose a resolution that’s too overwhelming or too much of a stretch, you’re probably setting yourself up for failure. If it’s too hard, you’ll likely give up quickly. Instead, choose goals that are attainable and reasonable for your personality and lifestyle. While it’s perfectly fine to challenge yourself, make sure you choose a resolution that is achievable.
- Go all in. Once you decide on a resolution, commit to it fully. Make a pledge to yourself that the resolution is a priority going forward and that you will do what it takes to be successful. Write down your resolutions and write reminders to yourself that you will see regularly. Placing notes on your bathroom mirror, in your work planner, in your car, and other locations that you see frequently can help keep your resolutions in the front of your mind. The calendar and reminder features on technology can also help you maintain focus.
- Make a plan. Instead of simply stating a resolution, come up with a plan of attack for accomplishing it. Write down a series of steps that will help you accomplish your end goals. This will help you think through the things that need to happen to help you meet your resolution. With a process in place, you’ll be more likely to be successful.
- Set benchmarks. After you’ve made your plan, assign dates by which you would like to see progress. It’s fine for each benchmark to be a reach, but make sure they are attainable so that you set yourself up for success. If it helps to motivate you, build in rewards for yourself each time you hit a benchmark. Make sure your benchmark calendar spans the entire year, not just the month of January.
- Build in accountability. Share your resolution and ask family, friends, or colleagues to support your efforts and help keep you accountable for reaching the goals that you have set. Even better, enlist others who share your resolution and make changes together. You can share experiences along the way and encourage each other.
- Be resilient. If you get off track, don’t give up. Simply get yourself back on task and adjust your plan and benchmarks to reflect more time to reach your goals. It takes time to make changes and to create new habits, so go easy on yourself. Do your best, stay positive, and enjoy the process.
One resolution that’s easy to keep is to help protect your household budget with an HSASM Home Warranty plan. HSA provides valuable coverage to the mechanical system components and many of the appliances in your home while removing the worry and time-consuming task of finding a service company for covered items. Watch this video to find out more.