How You Can Make New Year's Resolutions That Stick

No matter what you’re hoping to achieve, you can reach your goals in 2020. Here are some tips on making change last.

Make it S.M.A.R.T.

• Specific. Don’t be vague about how you want to improve. Resolutions like “Try to be a kinder person,” don’t translate into tangible steps. Instead, make goals like “Do one random act of kindness each day.” This way, your resolutions are clear and easy to put into action.
• Measureable. Make sure your goals have clear markers to help you track progress. Take the time now to create markers for your progress to make it easier for you to stay the course.
• Achievable. Be realistic about what you intend to accomplish. When you set goals that are within your reach, you’re less likely to abandon them when the going gets tough.
• Relevant. It’s best to concentrate on the areas where you most need to improve. While other goals may sound nobler, work first on the areas where you know you are lacking.
• Time-based. Set a specific date for achieving each goal. A self-imposed deadline will push you to work on your resolution today.

Write it down.  Don’t make a list in your head or scrawl your resolutions on a piece of paper you’ll lose by Jan. 2. Instead, save your resolutions on your phone, using a note-taking app like Evernote or OneNote. If you prefer to work with old-fashioned paper and pen, you can slip the paper with your resolutions into a plastic sheet-protector and hang it up in a prominent place where it won’t get lost.

Chart your progress. Use a calendar to check off every day you’ve stuck to your resolutions. Visual reminders of your success can be a powerful motivator. When you look at your calendar and you see you’ve been sticking to your goal for the last six days, you won’t want to break that consistency the next day.

Don’t keep your resolutions to yourself. One of the best ways to ensure success is to share your journey with others. 

Post your progress on social media. This will make you accountable to an entire audience and just might give you the motivation you need to keep going.

With careful planning and hard work, you can make 2020 the year your resolutions stick. Happy New Year!