How to keep your New Year’s resolutions and prioritize self-care goals
At Pivot, we always keep this core value top of mind and first priority: Self-Care is Non-Negotiable. The start of the new year is the perfect time to re-set, refocus and determine your personal self-care resolutions for the upcoming year.
Determining your resolutions is the easy part. The biggest challenge will be holding yourself accountable throughout the year.
In fact, studies have shown that only 9% of those who make New Year’s resolutions are successful in keeping them. So, what does it take to achieve success? Here are six tips to hold yourself accountable and knock your New Year’s resolutions out of the park.
1. Write down your goal and keep it top of mind
Create a visual reminder to inspire you to meet your goals every day. This can be a note on your bathroom mirror, a message on your fridge, a vision board in your office or all of the above. Wherever you choose, make sure to place it strategically, so you’ll see the reminder multiple times per day. Studies show that people who vividly describe or picture their goals are anywhere from 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to successfully accomplish their goals than people who don’t.
2. Engage your support network
Share your goal with supportive friends, family and/or coworkers and check in regularly to track progress. At Pivot, we have a self-care communication channel where we share our self-care activities, celebrate accomplishments and support one another’s goals.
Better yet, find others who are working towards the same goal and lean on one another for motivation. If you want to:
- Read more → join a book club.
- Exercise more → participate in a fitness challenge group.
- Eat healthier → join a meal prep group.
3. Focus on your why
When doubts start to creep into your mind, go back to your purpose — your motivation for creating the goal in the first place. If your why is strong enough, you will find a way to make it happen.
If your mind starts to go down a path of “I can’t because. . .” turn that statement around to “I can and will because . . . (insert your why).”
4. If (likely, when) you get off track: Forgive yourself, refocus, re-commit
We are all human. Don’t feel bad if you waive off your goal track — it has happened to everyone. What’s most important is that you get back on track by restarting with a small dose. It is way easier to start small, bite off chunks you can chew and then add on little by little each day until you are back on track and sprinting toward your goal again.
For example, if you miss a few workouts, pick your favorite activity and just do it. Even if it’s for half the amount of time that you regularly do it, that is far better than nothing. Then, work your way back up to bigger challenges. Most of the time just getting started or restarted is the hardest part.
And, if your initial plan is not working, give yourself some grace and modify your plan to make it work for you. This will help you re-commit and stick to it!
5. Be intentional with your time
Block time for yourself and use it! Do not allow others (colleagues, friends, family, social media, etc.) to schedule over it or take it from you. Making time for self-care is not selfish. Prioritizing your well-being not only allows you to fill your cup, it helps you be your best self with others.
6. Celebrate!
Reward yourself with incentives for milestone accomplishments. The journey can feel long, but celebrating key milestones will help you stay motivated, productive and engaged throughout the year.
Ignore that lingering feeling that the odds are stacked against you. Better yet, use it as motivation to push forward and accomplish your New Year’s resolutions. Simply start by setting a goal and then use these tips to hold yourself accountable. After all, what do you have to lose?
Think about everything you have to gain and go make that goal an achievement!
At Pivot, we help turn your big change goals into reality, and we know how to communicate these aspirations across a team! If your company has lofty resolutions this year, connect with us. We’d love to help.
About the Author
Anna Miller, Communications Consultant
Anna is a versatile communications expert driven by a passion for collaborating, writing and driving efficiencies. With over 10 years of experience in Communications, Anna is successful in delivering strategic solutions by performing needs analysis, organizing resources and building constructive relationships. She is always excited to jump in, learn quickly and achieve results.
