A Life Coach Shares 4 Secrets to Making NY Resolutions You Can Actually Keep
When January 1 comes around, we usually sit down and make a list of all the things we want to accomplish in the new year… lose 10 pounds, eat only kale and acai berries, drink less wine, you get it. But come February (or let’s be real, mid-January) most of those new goals have gone straight out the window. So, how can we make this year different? We scored some tips from talk show host, certified life coach and beauty expert Nitika Chopra on how to create goals you can actually stick to.
1. Figure out what you really want. If you want to set goals for this year but you’re not sure where to start, Nitika suggests writing down three things you would do every day regardless of pay or resources. “Setting goals should really be about connecting back to what’s going to make you truly happy,” she says. “Sometimes we stop ourselves from doing that because we’re afraid or we’re concerned about finances or time or whatever. If you really figure out the three things you love to do and you would do them every day, you can start incorporating those things into your life whether it’s in small steps or actually taking on a bigger project.”
2. Set an intention rather than a resolution. Nitika explains, “Often times people fall off track with resolutions because they’re kind of like these big goals that we end up beating ourselves up with if we don’t achieve them. But an intention [as opposed to a resolution] is just a slight mind shift. Take finances for example. Instead of saying ‘I’m going to get myself out of debt this year,’ try something like ‘In 2016 I’m going to become more financially responsible than I’ve ever been.’”
3. Stay away from numbered goals. We’ve all fallen victim to the classic numbered goal. Maybe it’s “lose 20 pounds” or maybe “put $5,000 away into a savings account.” Then once you fall ever-so-slightly off track, the whole plan seems to go awry. So keeping with the intention rather than resolutions idea, Nitika says, “Be mindful of energy circumstances and intentions versus giving yourself those hard stop goals.”
4. Take baby steps. The best way to form a new habit is to not try to bite off an entire meal at once. Nitika says, “Tiny right actions is usually what will get you there. So let’s say the goal is to be more mindful about your health. Instead of saying ‘I’m going to stop eating cheeseburgers and french fries and I’m only going to eat grilled chicken and lettuce,’ why not take small steps toward that direction? Maybe be more mindful of the amount of water you’re consuming or add a salad to one of your meals and start there.
What are some of your New Year’s resolutions this year? Share with us on Twitter @britandco.
(Photos via Getty)
