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Nearly half of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, but just 8% actually follow through and accomplish their goals, according to a research done at the University of Scranton. As the study showed, the hard part is not making your goals, but following through with them. Set yourself up for success by following these steps to follow through with your new year goals.

Keep It Simple

So many times people will tend to make a long list with extravagant goals. When the time comes to follow through with them, they realize they have bitten off more than they can chew. Keep your list and goals simple. There is no rule that says you can’t add or change your list throughout the year. Start with one or two things that are realistic to your everyday life, and once you have mastered those, add more.

Find An Accountability Partner

According to the American Society of Training and Development, if you commit to a specific accountability appointment with another person, you will increase your chance of success by up to 95%. It is human nature to not want to be embarrassed or let someone down. When you have someone holding you accountable, it gives you motivation to complete your goal and stay true to it.

Pick Different Categories

Here’s the thing, if you are wanting to lose weight, and you pick three goals that all have to do with food and exercise and you don’t exercise and have bad eating habits you won’t ever accomplish your goal. It is changing too much at one time, in one area of your life. Instead start by picking one goal that has to do with food and exercise, and then pick the other two that help with overall lifestyle, like going to bed earlier or watching a motivational video everyday. These little things, in the end, will make you feel better and make you more motivated to accomplish your bigger goal.

Cut Yourself Some Slack

No one is perfect, and everyone has rough days. Don’t quit trying just because you had a bad day and may have fallen short of your goal. You’re human and it’s okay. The thing is, you don’t want to fall back into old habits after one bad day. Shake it off, and start over the next day. According to U.S. News, approximately 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February. That is not enough time to give yourself a fair shot at completing the rest of the year if you quit in the second month.

Have Fun

Last but not least, have fun! If you wake up every morning dreading whether or not you’ll accomplish your goal, it will just be a matter of time before you quit. Find ways to make it fun and get others involved!


Accomplishing your New Year’s goals can be easy, fun and exciting all at the same time! Comment below your tips for completing your New Year’s goals!  

 

By: Christa Vandenburgh