February is ending and I’ve all but given up on my resolutions…less than 60 days later. Pathetic? Probably. Last year my goals were such things as: brush my teeth twice a day, shower once a week, put gas in my car before the empty light comes on, eat lunch everyday, etc. My premise was, if I set goals for things I do anyway then there’s no way I won’t accomplish my resolutions!
This year I decided to actually set goals to improve myself and my financial situations. I’m not doing so hot. So, after realizing I had resolved to stick to my resolutions - and was failing epically, I took to the internet for pointers. I realized my problem lies in the fact I get too motivated for my own good. I want to accomplish all my goals in January and then have the next 11 months to say, “Yeah, I’m done with my resolutions - time to play!”
Not very smart, I know.
Especially when I’m wanting to build savings and pay off debt.
While I was sifting through google results, I came across this website by the author of The Power of Less with some pointers that I think will help me quite a bit (nothing could hurt at this point) with re-asserting my efforts. In the article the author talks about another website he or she has set up to help track and publicly commit to your resolutions - the theory is, by publicly committing you feel more obligated to accomplish what you have set out to do. The author also talks about some other resources for accomplish goals and resolutions and the methods of the secondary website. Here are other pointers for sticking to your resolutions:
- Focus on one goal at a time so you don’t become overwhelmed
- Don’t go full-speed-ahead at your goals, gradually work on them - gradually but consistenly.
- Start out simple so it doesn’t become intimidating and overwhelming
- Make it fun!
There are a couple more points of advice that specifically pertain to the secondary website. They are to help you track your progress and ways to help improve your likelihood to accomplish your goals.
So, don’t give up! Start over, there are still 10 months to accomplish what you set out to do! What are some ways you have found that help you stick to your goals and resolutions? What ideas from the website do you think you’ll implement?
Tags: resolution
Well, my first New Years resolution this year was to not fall in love for the whole year. It’s actually going better than I thought it would. But, I did a 1 month later resolution. When February started, I decided that I was going to do everything I could to make this the most awesome year I’ve ever had. It’s going well too.
My thoughts are that it’s all in the attitude. If you have the attitude that you’re going to fail at your goals, you probably will. But if you have a more positive attitude, you’re more likely to complete your goal. Attitude is everything.
This year I did something a little different with my news years resolutions. I got the idea on a radio station I listen to. The station encouraged the listeners to not make lists of things they want to do this year but instead think of one word. Have that one word define what you want to change about yourself or do this year or improve on.
I thought this was such a great idea! After thinking about it for a while. I decided to make my word patience because I think that is a major thing I can work on! I have found myself daily thinking about my word and really improving! So although my new years resolution is short and simple, it has stuck with me!
I have to say that instead of having a thousand different resolutions I have only come up with a couple this year, which sounds similiar to your advice that you found. I find that this is working better than having a huge list. I wanted to get into better shape and also look for career postitions to apply for after I graduate. Only having these two goals has really helped me to stayed focused. I have been going to the gym five days a week since the first week of January and plan to continue. I have also started looking at positions that I might be interested in and am going to get more help with my resume.
rebecka, I really like your idea. I like all your ideas - keeping it simple and having a positive attitude are definitely important. I think I may implement the idea of having a word define me! That’s awesome (while still working on my other resolutions, of course).
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