New year's resolutions are a common tradition around the world, with people making commitments to themselves to improve various aspects of their lives. Whether it is eating healthier, exercising more, or learning a new skill, people often see the start of a new year as an opportunity to make positive changes in their lives.
However, it is important to approach new year resolutions with a certain level of caution and mindfulness. Many people make grand, ambitious resolutions only to find that they are unable to stick to them, leading to disappointment and frustration. Here are some pointers that one can be mindful of while making the resolutions.
Make specific, achievable goals: One of the biggest mistakes people make with new year resolutions is setting vague, overly ambitious goals. Instead of saying, "I want to lose weight," for example, they make a specific goal like "I will lose 10 lbs" or "I will exercise three times a week." Specific goals are easier to track and measure, which can help you stay motivated and on track. Neeha, a freshman at North South University, talked about the importance of setting specific goals. "Last year my resolution was to acquire new skills but I didn't make specific which skills I want to acquire. It eventually led to procrastination and here I am, again with zero skills. New year, old unskilled Neeha." However, this time she has made it specific that by the end of the year, she will be a master in Microsoft Excel.
Break your goals down into smaller steps: If you have a large, long-term goal, it can be helpful to break it down into smaller, more manageable steps. This can make it easier to see progress and can help you stay motivated. For example, if your goal is to build the habit of reading books, you could set smaller goals like one page per day or one book per two weeks. But if you go for 52 books in 52 weeks then surely you'll struggle. And this struggle will lead you to frustration and eventually you'll fall out of it. So instead of taking a leap of faith, take baby steps.
Create a plan of action: Once you have your goals in mind, it is important to create a plan of action to help you achieve them. This might include identifying specific steps you need to take, setting deadlines, and creating a timeline for your progress. Having a clear plan can help you stay focused and on track. To-do list apps help to serve this purpose. Also, you can set reminders and schedule your progress in Google Calendar.
Seek support and accountability: Achieving your goals can be easier if you have the support and accountability of others. Consider enlisting the help of a friend or family member to help you stay motivated, or join a group or class where you can work towards your goals with others. Having someone to cheer you on and hold you accountable can make all the difference. Those who want to start going to the gym but do not have the motivation, grab a partner and enlist yourself.
Be flexible and open to changes: Even the best-laid plans can go awry, so it is important to be flexible and open to making adjustments as you go along. If you find that your goals are too ambitious or that you are having trouble sticking to your plan, don't be afraid to make changes. It is better to adjust your goals and approach than to give up altogether.
Celebrate your successes: Do not forget to celebrate your successes along the way. Whether it is a small victory or a major milestone, recognising your achievements can help you stay motivated and on track.
The author is also struggling to quit eating junk foods, more specifically fried chicken from a branded food shop. So this year he promised himself to quit eating junk food and that is how he has planned to do it.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your pen and pencil and start making a list of what you want to achieve. Make sure you are the person at the end of the year you want to be.
The writer is a second-year BBA student at IBA, Dhaka University.
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