3 things to consider when making a New Year's resolution

With January 1st upon us, it’s time to figure out those resolutions. 
Of course, you can go with the classics: 
I’ll join the gym! Or, I’ll stop eating chocolate! I’ll be more healthy! The pointless, empty resolutions you’ll break within the month. 
Let me tell you a secret: there’s a right and wrong way to make resolutions.
I’m going to tell you how to make and keep those resolutions through the year.

Be specific 

First, be specific in your resolution. Almost like writing an essay; start broad and narrow it down. You want to become healthier? How are you going to achieve that? Don’t completely cut something cold turkey and expect to be successful. Instead, incorporate something new into your life and take out something that’s holding you back. For example, instead of completely cutting out chocolate in order to be healthier, focus on eating a well balanced meal, awarding yourself with a sweet treat once a week. If you want to save money, don’t just tell yourself you’re going to save money. Instead, open a savings account, or buy a piggy bank and tell yourself, 100 dollars out of every paycheck is going to go into that savings account and you won’t touch it. Of course moderate it to fit your budget, but set a fixed amount and stick with it. Simplicity is key.
Next, set your goals. Is there a certain amount of weight you want to lose? Something you want to save for? Something specific about your character you want to change? Focus on that single thing, and work on it. Write it down, somewhere you can see it first thing in the morning and last thing at night. It gives you incentive. Keep track if your progress, keep track of your mistakes. Mistakes make you human, and you can learn to grow from them. It also offers a sense of accomplishment, seeing all that you’ve achieved, no matter how slow the progress. It keeps pushing you forward.

Be realistic

What you want to avoid when making resolutions is setting a standard way out of your reach. If it’s unattainable, it’ll be harder and harder for you to keep up the motivation to complete it. If you know setting aside 100 dollars out of every paycheck is unreasonable, don’t start so high! You’ll just set yourself up for failure. Even five dollars is better than nothing at all. If you know your schedule doesn’t allow for you to go to the gym every single day, set aside time to go for a half hour walk every day, or every second day. As I said before, small amounts of progress is better than nothing at all, and walking is one of the best ways to get yourself feeling healthier and happier. Keep things attainable, keep them reasonable and within your capabilities.

Make it about you

The last and final thing to keep in mind when making your resolutions is to do what makes you happy. Don’t be afraid to branch out of your comfort zone, but not so far out that it’ll end up holding you back in the long run.  Don’t make your resolution based around the wants of others, especially if it doesn’t benefit you. Resolutions are for making you, yourself, better,not those around you.

If you’re going to make some resolutions this New Year, keep these  things in mind: be specific, set goals for yourself, keep your resolutions reasonable, and lastly do them to make yourself happy.
Follow these four guidelines and you’re well on your way to making 2018 your best year yet!