Most popular New Year’s resolutions – and how to achieve them

As the New Year arrives, most adults will make New Year resolutions to lose weight, drink less and stop smoking. According to research, the very same people will have abandoned their goals within a matter of months if not weeks.

So, how do you make resolutions you actually keep? From setting up your resolutions to making them happen, JustAnswer has your covered throughout the year. Here are a few handy tips to help you get on track.

Manage your expectations

The number one reason resolutions fails is that people set too many unrealistic goals. We all want to be perfect, but trying to do too many things at once will inevitably lead to failure. 

The first step to a successful resolution is to limit your number of resolutions, and then to break down your resolutions into manageable, achievable steps. For example, if you are someone who wants to learn Spanish in 2017, you could decide to take a “language class once a week” or “learn ten new words every lesson.”   

That way, you’ll be making progress against a realistic goal, and rewarding yourself – rather than beating yourself up and giving up – because your goal is specific and achievable.

Smarter goals

New Year resolutions should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic. In other words, instead of vaguely tyring to “lose weight”, you want to set smaller goals of losing a few pounds within a specific time frame and build on that success. It helps to outline how you will achieve your goal, too. For example it´s helpful to can create an exercise and healthy eating plan so you can keep track of your progess on a day-by-day basis.
Also, letting your friends and family know you´re trying to lose weight will increase your accountability, helping you to keep on track.

Breaking the habit

Remember, changing your habits is difficult so be patient with yourself. It takes about two months to get a new habit to stick; breaking one can take much longer, especially if it involves a physical addiction. 

One trick to help yourself change behavior is to switch the old out with a new “habit”. For example, if you want to quit smoking, it´s helpful to take small breaks during the day, chew gum, and drink plenty of water to fight your cravings.

Additionally, a lapse doesn´t mean that you´ve broken your resolution and can achieve it. You can start a new the next day and keep woring to keep your resolution. After all, if you don´t give up bound to make your resolution a reality.

Welcome to 2017 – and remember that JustAnswer is here for you with specific answers to your questions, 24/7, every day of the year.