I’m trying to figure out what happened to Christmas! It slips by so quickly every year, doesn’t it? And then it’s time to start planning for the next holiday, New Year’s Eve. I’m not a huge New Year’s Eve party girl. Maybe it’s because I’ve had little kids for so long, so it makes it harder to “party” until midnight. Last year I’m pretty sure my husband and I didn’t even make it until midnight. Yeah, we might be lame like that. 😉  But even though the celebration may not be my forte, I do believe in New Year’s Resolutions. 

I sit down and make a list of resolutions every year. And I recommit to a few that have fallen by the wayside. I even make my kids do it.  It never ends perfectly and we don’t accomplish them all, but I think it’s still important to spend the time thinking of ways you want to improve in your life. Or the goals that you want to accomplish. I’ve got a few tips that make it easier for us and I want to share them with you! 

New Year’s Resolutions Tips and Tricks

1. Don’t commit to too much!  The new year is the perfect time to get a fresh start in all aspects of your life. There’s the classic goals of eating healthy, regular exercise, gaining control over your finances, keeping a more organized house, getting out of debt. etc. You could make a seriously long list of things to improve upon in your life. And if you’re not careful that list will become overwhelming and you will quit on all of them. And then what was the point of the resolutions in the first place? We each pick three at our house. It seems like a manageable number without going on overload. If three seems like too much to handle, cut it down to one or two. Something is better than nothing when you are trying to improve!
2. Keep the list somewhere you will see it everyday. Have you ever heard the phrase “out of sight, out of mind?” If you aren’t reminded of something consistently, it is very likely that you will forget it. If you give yourself reminders, you will be more inclined to work on those resolutions. Post them on your mirror in your bathroom, stick another copy next to your bed, set reminders in your phone for a certain time each day or every couple of days, stick a list in your car and think about them on your way to work. The more you think on them, the more they will become a part of your daily life. 
3. Find a friend to help you. I think that being held accountable by someone else is a great way to get things done. I have this sweet friend who has been my on again, off again running buddy for the last eleven years. We’ve been through lots of races, lots of pregnancies and lots of fun. When we first started running, we were training for a marathon and I got out of bed in the mornings because I knew she’d be there to meet me. I would have struggled to find the purpose in running an 18 mile long run if she hadn’t been there to keep me honest in my miles. Whether it’s an exercise buddy or a friend who talks you off the ledge of buying those super cute shoes you don’t need, sometimes that’s all it takes to move forward in your New Year’s Resolutions.
4. Start small and build on your accomplishments. I don’t think that New Year’s Resolutions need to be all or nothing. For example, you either eat healthy all the time or you might as well quit that resolution the first time you slip. It doesn’t have to work that way!! Rather than setting a goal that feels unattainable, start with something small. Cut out dessert after dinner first and see how that goes. Once you feel like that’s working for you, take out your afternoon soda run. Baby steps are sometimes the only way to get to the end result! That means that your resolutions will need to be modified from time to time. And that’s OK! It’s a good thing because it means you are progressing. 
5. Don’t be afraid of failure. Nobody is perfect. You’re not going to make it to the gym everyday in 2018. You aren’t going to be able to quit eating sugar because your birthday will come up and everyone deserves a day off. Focus on the good that has come of your goals. Focus on those two weeks where you DID make it to the gym everyday and then build on how those two weeks made you feel. And most of all, never give up. Take a break. Take a step back. And then recommit to your resolutions. 

I’m excited to see where this new year takes me! I’m anxious to write down my resolutions and work on them one baby step at a time. Anyone want to be my buddy at the gym at 5:30 every morning?! 🙂