Firstly, I’d like to extend warm wishes for a Happy New Year to everyone. Now that we’ve entered 2024, it’s an opportune time to pen down your New Year’s resolutions. While some have expressed what they want to leave behind in the past year, many haven’t yet established clear and realistic goals for 2024.

For some, the commencement of a new year signifies the start of a fresh chapter, while others argue that setting January goals is futile since most resolutions tend to falter by mid-March.

Nevertheless, it’s essential to recognize the value of adhering to your New Year’s resolutions, ensuring it doesn’t feel like a futile endeavour. Resolutions should not be viewed with dread; instead, they serve as a means to concentrate on the positive changes that can enrich our lives.

Defining your goals is pivotal for achieving them, offering direction and a motivational plan of action. Clearly outlined goals provide a roadmap for our journey and a plan that sustains our interests.

New Year’s resolutions come in diverse forms, but the common thread is their aim to bring positive impacts to your life. Whatever your goal may be, ensure you’re on the right path to accomplishing it.

Always remember that commitment becomes more manageable when your goal is specific and well-defined. Avoid vague objectives like “be less anxious” and, instead, establish precise goals such as “practice a relaxation exercise once a day”.

To enhance your chances of sticking to your 2024 New Year’s resolution and minimize the likelihood of giving up, consider following these steps below:

1. Start with small goals

The eager enthusiasm for setting a goal can sometimes lead to failure. Rather than committing to lofty objectives, begin with smaller steps. Achieving your goal in gradual increments can prevent discouragement.

For instance, instead of committing to saving N60,000 from your N150,000 salary each month, start with N10,000 to N20,000. This way, you can adapt to the process and gradually increase your savings.

2. Carry out your goals

After outlining your goals, the next step is putting them into action. Create steps for each goal to enhance your chances of success. For instance, if you aim to make more friends in 2024, develop a checklist to set yourself up for success. This checklist might include noting the type of personalities to seek out, setting reminders to connect with people at events or new locations, initiating conversations, and more.

Additionally, when you accomplish a goal, consider rewarding yourself to sustain motivation. Associating a reward with each achievement boosts your motivation. Rewards can range from watching your favourite TV show, taking a bath, enjoying a spa treatment, downloading and watching a movie, to reading a book.

3. Identify your goals

Take a moment to reflect on the changes or achievements you desire. Consider your short-term goals (tasks to tackle in the next few weeks), medium-term goals (plans for the next 6–12 months), and long-term goals (aspirations for your lifetime).

By mapping out these goals, you make them more distinct, enabling you to plan for each one. It’s essential to recognize that the requirements for short or medium-term goals differ from those of long-term goals.

Ensure your goals are realistic and achievable, aligning them with your lifestyle and capabilities. Setting goals following what’s attainable for you prevents potential loss of motivation. Be truthful with yourself, taking into account the resources and time available to support your goal achievement.

For instance, if you’ve never exercised before, expecting to hit the gym four times a week for an hour may be unrealistic. As mentioned earlier, begin with smaller goals as you progress toward larger ones.

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4. Set concrete and specific goals

Make sure your goals are clear and specific. If they are too vague, it can be challenging to determine the necessary steps for achievement.

Ineffective examples of goals:

• Eat better, eat less
• Save money
• Be less anxious
• Going back to school

Effective examples of goals:

• Consume at least one piece of fruit daily
• Deposit N5000 in my savings account each month
• Engage in a relaxation exercise once a day
• Enroll in a class at a community college in the spring

5. Make your goals measurable

To make your goal achievable, ensure it is specific and measurable. If you aim to exercise more, specify the duration: for instance, 30 minutes a day, four times a week. This way, you have a clear idea of what success looks like for your goal.

To monitor your progress effectively, consider using an activity tracker. These tools, accessible on Android phones or Apple products, allow you to log your food intake and exercise, providing valuable insights into your journey.

6. Stay positive

Maintain a positive mindset and stay committed to your goal. Avoid dwelling on the challenges or discomfort encountered during the pursuit of your goals, as this can demotivate you.

For instance, if you’re hitting the gym daily to achieve your dream body, try not to focus on how tired you might feel. Have faith in your goal and remind yourself of the positive impact it will bring to your life. Always emphasize the positive aspects to stay dedicated to your resolution and see it through.

As we have entered 2024, consider it a chance for a fresh start, taking charge of things while granting yourself patience and grace. Remember to start with small steps, plan effectively, and cultivate patience.

Anticipate that 2024 will bring even greater achievements. You’ve got this!

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