Does anybody else fall victim to the cheesy “new year, new me” mindset that floods social media every January? If you do, then this post might be for you. I’m not the spokesperson for achieving New Years resolutions but I have been thinking about them a lot and I’ve come up with five tips and tricks that I will be using to accomplish my goals in 2024. We’re in this together! 

 1. Be Realistic

There’s no point in reading about how to achieve your resolution, if it’s simply not attainable. While it’s great to aim high, overly ambitious resolutions can quickly become overwhelming and defeating. Instead, focus on setting goals that challenge you but are within reach. For instance, if your resolution is to work out more, it’s important to do some self-reflecting. If you work out once a week for 30 minutes, maybe upping that to 3 times a week for 20 minutes makes more sense than every day for an hour. Start with smaller, more manageable sessions and gradually increase the intensity and duration. The last thing you want is to burn out a month into the year.

2. Build a Routine

Rome wasn’t built in a day, or however that quote goes. Consistency is essential when it comes to achieving long-term goals. Integrating your resolutions into your daily routine makes it easier to stick with them. For example, if you want to read more, set aside a specific time each day for reading. For me, I take 20 minutes before I go to bed to read. It helps me fall asleep too, bonus! The more your resolution becomes a part of your daily life, the less it feels like an additional task.

3. Be Accountable

Accountability can dramatically increase your chances of success. Share your goals with a friend or family member who can check in on your progress. If you’re trying to eat healthier, having a roommate or sibling that brings junk food into your living space can make your task much harder. If you are on the same page about changing your eating habits, you can rely on each other for support and encouragement. There’s strength in numbers and having a support system can be a huge motivator.

4. Mindset Matters

Your mindset plays a pivotal role in achieving your goals. Maintain a positive and proactive attitude. When faced with setbacks, view them as learning opportunities rather than failures. Maybe your resolution is to cook more, but you’ve had a stressful day and the thought of spending time over the stove is just too much to handle. There’s nothing wrong with grabbing some takeout and chalking it up to a one-off setback. Don’t punish yourself for failures and setbacks. It’s not a race and you are allowed to take as much time as you need.

5. Celebrate Milestones

Finally, don’t forget to acknowledge and celebrate your progress. Setting and achieving smaller milestones on the way to your larger goal can provide a sense of accomplishment and keep you motivated. If your goal is to save money, for example, treat yourself to something small each time you reach a savings milestone. If you are working towards a resolution with a loved one, make sure you celebrate their wins as well!