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New year new you notebook

It’s not a secret. Most people don’t stick to their New Year’s resolutions. Maybe they last a week, maybe they last a few months, but eventually, they fall right back into the same old habits – and get the same old results. It’s time to do things differently this year.

Motivation is the desire to change. It’s what drives your New Year’s resolution, whether it’s to exercise more, eat more meals together as a family, or read a book every week. Motivation is typically at an all-time high on January 1st, but maintaining that level of motivation can be tough. If you’re trying to figure out how to keep your New Year’s resolutions, the following tips can help get you motivated and stay that way so you can finish the year proud!

1. Be realistic with your goals and plans.

“Being realistic” doesn’t mean you should dream small or play it safe. It means being self-aware and realistic. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting discouraged and burning out quickly. Has it been over a decade since you’ve worked out? Setting the lofty goal to work out at 5 a.m. six days a week may be a bit too much, too fast. If your goal and plan of action are genuinely achievable, you’ll be motivated by your success along the way.

2. Schedule your goal.

A straightforward way to stay motivated is by allotting time specifically for your goal, whether it’s daily or weekly. If you want to start cooking more homemade meals, schedule time to pick recipes, grocery shop, and cook.

If your goal is to learn a new language, set aside 15 minutes every day to practice. It’s easy to let your New Year’s resolutions slip if you wake up and cross your fingers that you’ll be able to squeeze in time for practice or planning. Consider that time you’ve set aside as a scheduled appointment with yourself to work toward your goals—and the appointment can’t be canceled!

3. Set specific, measurable checkpoints.

Vague goals will give you vague results. Stay laser-focused and motivated by plotting out super specific “mini-goals” and checkpoints along the way. There are even smartphone apps that can help!

For example, if your New Year’s resolution is to save more money, pick an exact amount from each paycheck to put into savings, and overall savings amounts to hit throughout the year. If you want to lose x amount of weight by the end of the year, break it down into smaller amounts and set dates to meet each mini-goal. By mapping out the specifics, you’ll have an easier time staying on track.

4. Share your goals with others.

When you’re figuring out how to stick to New Year’s resolutions, one of the best things you can do is fill others in on your plans! Once you “go public” with your New Year’s resolution, you’ll find a new sense of accountability and motivation. Maybe some of your loved ones will join you. Perhaps they’ll just cheer you on. Either way, a shared goal can be much more powerful than a private one.

5. Keep your motivations nearby.

There’s a reason why you chose the New Year’s resolution that you did. Maybe it was a newspaper article or a documentary that spurred the decision. Maybe it was a photograph, or a quote, or an inspiring friend. Hold tight to whatever it was that got you started in the first place! Hang motivating quotes or photos on your mirror, re-read or re-watch whatever first encouraged you, and surround yourself with those inspiring people. It’s normal for motivation to come and go, but the important thing is that you reignite your fire and keep showing up for yourself.

Following just one of these tips can get you closer to reaching your goals in 2020. Keep the positivity rolling and let us know in a comment below: which tip will you be trying first? Are you looking for more good vibes? Keep up with all our posts by following Direct Auto Insurance on Facebook and Twitter!