10 Tips to Get You Back On Track With Your New Year Resolutions

If you’ve already fallen of the wagon with respect to New year’s Resolutions, or feel like you’re about to, know that you’re not alone. Studies show that by January 15th the number of people keeping their resolutions has already dropped to approximately 70%, and that less than 10% of us actually achieve our resolutions for the year. But if you’re determined not to dash your hopes of making a fresh start this year stick around, and check out the list of 10 top tips below, that will get you back on track in no time…


1. Reassess your goals and get clear about your motivation. Anytime start to lose focus and determination to achieve a goal, it’s a good idea to take a step back and figure out if they are still actually important to you. If after reviewing your resolutions, you still feel like the changes you decided to make will move you in the direction you want to go in life, then think about your motivation, or your 'whys' for wanting to achieve your goals. Whether you have health and fitness, relationship or financial goals, having clear understanding of why achieving a given goal is important to you, will go a long way to helping you get back (and stay) on track.

2. Start small and make a plan. If you’ve set goals for yourself that are achievable, but lean a bit lofty, you’ll likely need to chunk them down into smaller action steps you can check off your list as you go So, take the time to list all the steps you’ll have to take to get you from where you are now to where you want to be, and then create an action plan. Having a plan made up of small, easily achievable ‘mini resolutions’ will not only make the whole process less intimidating, it will also make it that much easier for you to keep moving forward.

3. Be specific. If you can’t measure it how will you know when you’ve achieved your goal? So put a number - be it pounds, dates on a calendar, or dollars - on it, so you have a crystal clear target in mind as you chug along.

4. Track your progress. Monitor your progress as you move toward your goal, so you can tweak your plan or approach to improve your results as necessary. It will also give the chance to acknowledge yourself for a job well done, as you make incremental gains.

5. Get some support. Most everything in life is better with a buddy on board, right? So, seek out a good friend or loving family member who will happily cheerlead, encourage or (if need be) cajole you into action when you start to lose focus. You may even want to have a friendly competition to see which one of you can hit the mark on your respective resolutions first.

6. Avoid the dream killers. Do your best to limit or eliminate your exposure to negative influences, particularly those friends or family members who may try to slow your progress because they are uncomfortable with the 'new you'. If you can’t reduce the time you spend with people who are determined to hold you back, be prepared to call them out - as respectfully as possible - when they say or do anything that demonstrates their resistance to the changes you are making in your life.

7. Fail forward. Progress isn’t linear, so you are bound to face some highs, and a whole lot of lows as you journey towards success. But slipping of track or failing doesn’t have to mean you are out for the count. Failing is a part of any process that requires us to grow and learn. So, embrace your failures as part of the journey that will eventually lead to your success. When you stray of course, take a moment or two assess the situation, make the necessary course corrections, and then jump right back in.

8. Review your resolution list often. Take a few moments to review the things you have listed on your resolution list each day. Post them on your bathroom mirror and read them as you start your day - aloud it possible. Going through this process daily, will keep them in front and centre in your thoughts, so you stay focused on doing whatever it takes to get them done.

9. Reward yourself. Create a reward system to keep you motivated. Choose rewards that help you to relax or decompress, like getting a massage, binge-watching your favourite show, or going on a mini vacation, as opposed to ones pull you right off track, like over indulging, skipping workouts, spending too much or anything else that may negatively impact your progress.

​10. Envision your success. Visualizing your life after you achieve your goals, is a good way to shift your energy and attention to the task of finding all the ways you can eventually accomplish them. So, spend some time reflecting on what your life will be like after you achieve your goal. Or better still, write yourself a future letter, dated a year from now, celebrating the fact that you've totally CRUSHED all your resolutions for 2018 to give yourself the inspiration you need to kick your efforts into high gear.

Okay folks, that's all I've got for now. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my tips and to read any you've come up with that you'd like to share. So, please leave me a comment below. 

Thanks,

B