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Journalism of Courage
As the new year approaches, it’s that time of the year again, when your colleagues and friends are bound to ask you this difficult-to-answer question — “What’s your New Year resolution?” Well, as morose as that sounds for some of us who have always failed to keep up with the resolutions, the new year can be a good time to tackle the goals that you want to accomplish. So, if you want to stick to your New Year resolutions this time around, we are here to help you out with some expert-approved advice.
While most of us are inclined to choose big and often ambiguous goals like ‘lose weight’, ‘be more productive’ or ‘learn new stuff’, it is much better to be specific and realistic about your goals. “Avoid setting overly ambitious or vague goals that can be difficult to achieve,” says Dr Jyoti Kapoor, founder, director, and senior psychiatrist at Manasthali.
This can be done by dividing your resolutions into smaller, more manageable tasks, which will feel less overwhelming and more achievable. For instance, Nishtha Narula, counseling psychologist at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, recommends making to-do lists every day to check your productivity instead of just saying ‘I will be more productive this year’.
Establishing a timeline can help you stay committed and measure your progress along the way. Additionally, a goal-setting app or a physical journal can help track your progress. “You can do this by giving deadlines to yourself for achieving specific milestones. Instead of saying, ‘I will lose 5 pounds’, you can say, ‘I will lose 5 pounds within 2 weeks,’” Dr Kapoor suggests. Make sure that this timeline is also realistic, as taking on too much too quickly is a sure-shot way for your resolution to fail.
Outline a clear plan of action for each resolution. “Identify the steps you need to take to achieve your goals. It is also essential to anticipate possible obstacles or setbacks and plan strategies to overcome them,” says Narula.
As you pursue your resolutions and reach mid-year, you might face setbacks and feel that your motivation is dwindling. At such times, it’s important to keep reminding yourself why exactly you chose this goal and focus on the gains you aspire for. “The reasons that make a goal important are a constant source of encouragement to keep going and reach where you want to be,” Narula shares.
While making resolutions and trying to follow them, a key factor is to believe in your strength, to be able to make the change. “You will have both good days and bad days, and some days, you will feel like you are falling behind. In times like this, you must reevaluate, reassess your strategies, and move forward again. It may take some time for you to achieve your goals, but it’s important to stay consistent and believe in yourself,” Narula notes.
Do not hesitate to seek help and guidance from people you value and look after. Having a support system that motivates you, keeps you grounded, and makes you accountable on days when you feel like giving up, is crucial. “Seeking help is not a sign of failure, but only a step towards moving forward,” Narula says.
The annual activity of committing to resolutions should not feel like a stressor but rather an opportunity to better yourself. Remember not to stay preoccupied with your resolutions but accept them as a part of self-growth.
