Well, another year has come to a conclusion. But, in many respects, this year has been unlike any other in recent memory. There is so much going on in the world. We have witnessed tremendous changes on practically every front, some of which are very unpleasant, but many of which are positive and significant for all of us as humans. Rather than focusing on the big picture as the year draws to a close, it could be more useful for all of us to concentrate on ourselves and our own very specific inward journey.
Here, we look at four proven ways to make changes for the new year ahead.
Mentally Prepare Yourself
Changing ingrained behaviors is difficult, so take a step back and prepare for the impending shift before jumping head-first into your New Year’s resolutions.
Taking a personal inventory is the first step toward change. Because it is the conclusion of one year and the beginning of the next, it is the ideal time to reflect on the previous year’s achievements. Consider the following:
- What were my goals for the past year?
- What steps did I take to get there?
- Where did I fail to see progress?
Presumably, your resolution will focus on areas where you have not made progress, but do not forget to appreciate what you have accomplished so far and find a simple way to celebrate. Those pleasant feelings come in handy! If at all feasible, link them to something associated with your achievement.
You will want to make your new resolution positive so that you may use the positive association with last year’s accomplishments to remind yourself of those great sentiments when you are feeling down.
Be Proactive
Writing down a list of the actions that you need to take to achieve your goals is a great way of holding yourself accountable. For example, if you are struggling with substance abuse, making a note of Sunshine Behavioral Health for assistance in overcoming it can be the first big step. If you are trying to lose some weight, making a list of healthy meals to fall back on when you are busy can stop you from calling for takeout or grabbing a packet of chips.
Make Your Goals Small Enough To Be Achievable
When it comes to resolutions, many of us are overly enthusiastic and extravagant. With the greatest of intentions, we may unintentionally set a goal that is too difficult to fulfill. As a result, it is beneficial to break down a large objective into smaller, more manageable goals.
Don’t Commit To Too Many Resolutions And Changes
Having too many resolutions and spreading oneself too thin is a common mistake. We all want to make as many positive changes as we can, yet none of us are superheroes. We only have so much attention span to devote to self-improvement, so making too many resolutions is a surefire way to fail to meet the many objectives you have set for yourself.
As a result, you should make a small list of resolutions that you will be able to accomplish in the next year. The difficult aspect is coming up with a small list of priorities. Understanding how to prioritize is crucial in this situation.
*Collaborative Post