You may be one of those people who cannot wait to say goodbye to 2020 and welcome 2021 with a list of New Year resolutions. You are absolutely ready for a fresh start and a new you in the year ahead. When making your resolution list, here are some common pitfalls to avoid that can help to increase your chances of success.
Set Reasonable Goals
Source: ShutterstockAvoid making too many resolutions. Trying to keep up with all of them could cause stress and fatigue or even boredom. Pick two or three goals that are important, and decide how likely you are to stick with them and see progress in the coming year. Your resolutions should be manageable over the next twelve months. Don’t set huge goals that will be hard to meet, such as losing 100 pounds. Stick to more feasible goals that fit comfortably with your current lifestyle.
Keep It Simple
Set a pace that works with your schedule. Don’t try to become an overnight superhero at whatever you are trying to accomplish. If you want to start a savings account, make deposits that won’t interfere with your monthly necessities. To learn a new skill, choose one that you can afford and can probably master in the next year. Differentiate between an annual resolution and a life goal to avoid pushing yourself too hard and missing the target.
Forgive Occasional Missteps
Don’t expect perfection. You will probably stumble now and then on your quest to keep your resolutions. Give yourself permission to fail occasionally. Then figure out what went wrong, fix the problem, and keep going. If you find that you absolutely cannot continue to maintain a certain resolution, then give it up and replace it with something more doable or wait until you are ready to start working on a new goal.
Pace Yourself
Source: ShutterstockWhatever your resolutions may be, take time to fulfill them effectively and evenly. If you want to save $5,000 this year, don’t try to squeeze it out of the first few months’ income in 2021. Figure out a monthly amount that you can afford to save and adjust your end goal if necessary. Remember, you are making resolutions for yourself rather than to impress other people. Be realistic, take your time, and make it happen naturally.
Making New Year’s resolutions is a great way to address issues in your life that need attention. These may involve health, relationships, finances, or other areas of concern. Give some thought to what is most important for you to achieve in 2021 and make that a primary goal that works with your schedule and budget.
