As the New Year rings in, so do our resolutions. Many people create goals around fitness and weight loss, money, and even grades. While making resolutions can be a great thing, sticking to them can be challenging.
The main reason is because we want results yesterday. We tend to look at resolutions as a, “I have to accomplish all this right now” mentality. Instead, let’s look at how you can turn your resolutions into lasting habits. Here are 5 surefire ways to do just that:
1. Get the word “resolution” out of your head. Instead ask yourself, “What habits do I want to create in my life?“
2. Ask yourself this question daily: “What’s one thing I can do for my health, finances, grades, etc., today?” Just taking one small action step a day can add up. For example, maybe you want to save more money. By asking yourself this question, you will automatically be more conscious of your spending habits, and in turn, you will be more likely to make good choices daily.
3. Start small. Building habits is not about suddenly making all these goals and trying to make them all happen that day. Success in any area of life takes time and constant daily action. Commit to taking the small changes so you will never have to make those resolutions again because it will become such a part of you.
4. Know you can always restart. So you had a slip? You ate pizza instead of a salad or you skipped the gym to hang with friends. Don’t beat yourself up. Know that you can always restart. Remember, it’s about habits, and they take time to learn. Cut yourself a break and know that you can always hit the restart button. You don’t have to wait another year to make the resolution again. You can restart at anytime.
Lindsey Smith, known as the “food mood girl” works with people who have a habit of looking to food for all the wrong nutrients: comfort, reward, fun and acceptance. Through speaking and coaching she motivates, equips and inspires people to sort out their relationships with food so they can live a healthy, balanced life. She is also the author of “Junk Foods & Junk Moods: Stop Craving and Start Living!” Connect with Smith via her Web site, www.FoodMoodGirl.com, on Facebook and Twitter @LindseySmithHHC.
