If you are like me, ringing in the New Year came with one or two self-improvement resolutions you would like to see implemented this year. Unfortunately, the odds are against us keeping these resolutions. The reason is that we don’t make them doable and as a result we give up on them..  One of the studies verifying this point was conducted by researchers at the University of Scranton found that 23% of people quit their resolution after just one week. And only 19% of individuals stick to their goals long term (two years, in the case of the study). So how can we make sure we achieve the resolutions we want to achieve this year?  In this post, I share a 6 tips that might help you and ME achieve our 2022 New Year’s Resolutions!

1. Turn your resolution into a specific, measurable goal. Maybe you’ve decided to get into better shape. This is a good idea but what does it really mean?  A goal that is measurable would be something like I would like to lose 10 pounds in the next 30 days. This is a goal that is measurable and has a timeline.  Now that you have set your goal you can devise a plan that will help you achieve it.
2. Piggyback on to a routine that you are already have in place. Say your resolution is to drink two additional 8-ounce glasses a day of water. Most of us brush our teeth when we wake up and when we go to bed. Try keeping an 8 ounce glass on your bathroom sink, and after you brush your teeth drink a glass of water. Do that when you wake up and before you go to bed. By adding drinking a glass of water to your routine of brushing your teeth, you will remember to drink your two additional glasses of water per day.
3. Prepare and change your environment: If you want to exercise in the morning, put your workout closes by your bed, so when your alarm goes off you can get up and have your work out cloths laid out. and ready to put them on! This will save you time looking for something to wear.
4. Write it on your calendar: We are focused on our what is on our calendar…so if your goal is to add time to exercise – make an appointments with yourself to exercise each morning at say 8am. If something comes up and you have to change your appointment – reschedule the appointment. Keeping a calendar is an activity that we are all familiar with – so adding a new task of exercising to your calendar is one way to schedule it into your your existing routine.
5. Actively measure your progress. One way to do this is to get a wearable devise. This way you can set a goal (say you want to walk 10,000 steps in a day). Having a wearable devise allows you to track your progress during the day and think of ways to add steps to your routine so you make your goal.
6. Don’t sweat the bad days: realize none of us are perfect. If you fall short of your goal one day – start over the next day. Be positive by focusing on what you did do versus what you did not do. By giving yourself credit for doing something – you won’t give up when you fall short.

If you made a New Year’s resolution let me know what it was and what new steps you are putting into place to achieve your new goal. Sharing is a good way to keep on point and helping others who need motivation, so take a minute to leave a comment in the comment box!

I wish you the best in keeping your resolutions. Make them measurable goals that you are committed to achieving – because you are important!

Thanks for reading Nurse Advocate! Have a Happy and Healthy 2022!