Top 3 Resolution Hiccups & How to Make Your Resolutions Stick

January 7, 2016 by WestBridge

If the practice of resolution-making is a common occurrence in early January, resolution-breaking is nearly as routine, usually starting to happen before month’s end. Of course this can be daunting and dispiriting: We tend to get excited about living a new life and becoming a new person, only to watch ourselves sink back down into the status quo.

But why is it that so many resolutions don’t stick—and what can be done to change that? Below are three of the most common hiccups in the New Year’s resolution process, along with some tips for being more tenacious.

Hiccup #1: Biting off more than you can chew.

Have you ever met someone who resolved to lose weight, spend less money, write a novel, and spend less time at work—all for the same round of New Year’s resolutions? It’s never surprising when these resolutions peter out. That’s a lot of major life changes to tackle all at once, and attempting it can cause stress and burnout.

Be reasonable in setting goals for yourself. A resolution should stretch you, but it should also be achievable.

Hiccup #2: Beating yourself up.

We all have setbacks and bad days. Sticking to your resolutions means knowing how to bounce back—how to acknowledge your problem but then move on from it, rather than dwelling on it.

Don’t let a setback sap your self-confidence. Be patient with yourself.

Hiccup #3: Making resolutions alone.

Trying to make big changes without a support structure is a fool’s errand. As you make resolutions, enlist friends and loved ones to give you accountability and encouragement.

That may even mean reaching out to a clinical therapy or recovery program. Don’t let stigma keep you from getting the support you need to change your life—and start 2016 on a truly healthy note.

What do you do to make your resolutions stick? Join us on Facebook to share your story!