Accomplishing Your New Year’s Resolutions--For Real This Time

It happens every year. One year ends as another begins, and we create resolutions. We create grand plans for the upcoming year, swearing off this or vowing to accomplish that. Yet, when the year ends, more often than not, we are faced with the failure of not achieving our goals.

But not this year.

This year, you’re going to accomplish your New Year’s resolutions. With some thought and minimal planning, you are going to achieve your goals. Here are 5 tips to help you through.

1. Be Passionate about your Resolution.

Sometimes, when we set New Year’s resolutions, we just pick whatever we failed at last year or something that someone else has said they want to do. Oh, you’re going to exercise. I should do that, too. Yes, that’s true. We all should exercise and eat healthier than we do, but if you don’t feel passionately about making that change, don’t make it your resolution.

Remember, your resolution is something very personal to you. It’s something that when you wake up 365 times, you want to be excited about. This should be something that really gets you pumped up.

2. Don’t Judge your Resolution.

Some people are going to want to do life-altering things this year, it doesn’t mean that you have to want that, too. At this time last year, my husband decided that he wanted to go to college and get a Bachelor’s degree. I decided that I wanted to do a better job removing dead skin from my feet.

Both of these are very valid resolutions. The only thing that matters is that you’re passionate and committed to the thing that you really want to do.

3. Look at the Calendar to Create a Plan.

In terms of goals, there are two types of people:  procrastinators and non-procrastinators. Procrastinators will always find reasons to delay doing something. (Trust me, I am one.) This is a nightmare for achieving resolutions like lose 10 pounds or even eat healthier. As long as tomorrow exists, there is a reason for procrastinators to not do something today.

Planning for Procrastinators

Just because planning isn’t your forte doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your New Year’s resolutions. You just have to be strategic. For example, instead of picking something that requires work each week, pick one big event.
Choose something from your Bucket List. If you’ve always wanted to skydive or go to Panama, these are the perfect resolutions for a procrastinator. Look at the calendar to decide when you want to go, and start making calls to get that booked now. Yes, now. Not tomorrow. If it’s the weekend, that’s okay. Call now and leave a message. They will call you back.
After this initial legwork, you will be all set to accomplish your resolution with minimal effort throughout the rest of your year!

Planning for Non-Procrastinators

For non-procrastinators, the planning process is not quite as tricky. Think about your resolution. What needs to happen in order for you to achieve your goal? Think about the different steps and what needs to happen when. Make notes in your calendar to remind yourself of things you want to accomplish.

With small, assigned tasks to accomplish week by week or month by month, you can stay on track to achieving your goal. If something happens and you fall behind, try to take a little bit of time each day to help yourself get back on track.

4. Gather your Tools.

You have your New Year’s resolution and a loose plan for how to achieve it. Now, it’s time to gather your tools for success. Any job is easier when you have the right tools on hand, so take the time now to think of anything you might need to help you achieve your goal. Get those items and find a way to keep them accessible to you. If your tools are nearby, there’s one less excuse you will have for why you can’t or won’t do something today.

Some examples of tools may include:  a water bottle (if you’re wanting to drink more water, workout more, eat/be healthier), tennis shoes (if you’re wanting to workout more, run, be healthier), your travel agent’s phone number (if you’re wanting to plan a big Bucket List trip), or a book (if you’re wanting to learn a new hobby, learn more about a topic).

5. Do It.

You’ve got your resolution set, planned what needs to be done and when, and gathered your tools. Now, all that’s left is for you to actually do it. If you have set a resolution that you’re passionate about, it won’t be as big of a challenge to put in the work to achieve your goal.

However, please be aware that passion fades, and the activity that you may have been so excited about in January may not be what you want to do in June. This is normal. You will need to decide then if you need to stick with your resolution or if you have already achieved it.

Here at Ramseier Realty Group, we hope these tips will help you accomplish your New Year’s resolutions. We hope this new year will bring you health, wealth, and happiness. Remember, for all your real estate needs, visit our website or give us a call at 816.262.8077.

Guest content provided by Sarah Stockett, Custom Pilates and Yoga.