USA Today recently reported that most New Year’s Resolutions fail by January 17th. I’ve noticed that my gym is emptier than it was a few weeks ago, but our team is doing pretty well so far. One of Dana’s goals for 2020 is to make better use of time spent in the car - she’s already listened to two audiobooks this year! Brooke wants to cut out refined sugar. Lindsey is focusing on intentionally planning out her weeks with fewer distractions. And I (Jamie) intend to make 2020 the Year of Hydration - more water, less caffeine.
Did you set a New Year’s Resolution this year? How’s it going so far?
Let’s talk about a few different resolution styles and tips to help you keep with them!
One Big Goal
Is 2020 the year that’s going to change everything? That’s great! But if you have a broad goal in mind like “being a better student” or “getting more involved,” make sure you’re being specific enough about what it takes to get there and giving yourself the tools you need to succeed.
For example, what does it mean to be a better student? Do you want to be better about time management or pull up a grade in a certain area? And what systems can you put in place to help you be a better student? Create a homework spot that’s free from distractions, and make studying there a part of your routine. Put a reminder in your phone to regularly touch base with your teachers about how you’re doing in their class.
Some people quit big goals or feel frustrated because they don’t see quick results, so build in checkpoints for yourself where you can look at your progress, celebrate your successes, and reassess as needed.
Lots of Resolutions
Maybe you can’t decide on just one resolution. Are there lots of small changes you want to make? Habits to start or stop? Keeping up with a lot of resolutions (even small ones) can be exhausting! Here are two ways to manage lots of resolutions without burning out.
Habit Tracking - Use an app or your planner to keep track of each of your goals and how you’re doing. It can be a great motivator not to “break the chain” when you can see your successes on display!
Micro-Resolutions - Instead of trying to tackle lots of changes all at once, try adding something new each month. Your odds of succeeding at 12 things over the course of a year are way higher than succeeding at 12 things all at once.
Parent tip: This is also a great way for parents to gradually give students more responsibility which will serve them well when they go to college. Maybe in January, you designate one day a week where your student is responsible for waking themselves up and completing their morning routine on their own. Perhaps you’ll tackle teaching your student to do their own laundry in February!
Resolution Minimalists
Maybe resolutions aren’t your thing, but you still want to make this a good year. Here are some ways you can dip your toe in the waters of resolutions without getting in over your head.
Be a Quitter - It’s hard to start something new. Building routines and habits take time, self-discipline, and a lot of motivation. Instead of adding something new to your plate, it can be easier to make a change by stopping something you already do. Then, take it a step further by replacing the thing you stopped with something you’d rather do instead.
In 2019, one of my resolutions was to stop buying books from Amazon. My intention was to support our smaller, local bookstores, but all I had to do was not buy from Amazon. Then, because I had to get books somewhere, I visited new bookstores, joined the public library, and shopped for used books at library sales and a book sale for a local swim team. I supported my local book community in new ways just by stopping one habit.
Word of the Year - Instead of having a set goal in mind, you might want to have a theme for your year. A word that you can turn to again and again when you need to stay motivated. If you want to focus on learning both in and out of the classroom, consider “curiosity” or a verb like “explore” or “pursue.” Maybe “family” will remind you to prioritize relationships at home or “laughter” will help you remember to have fun!
So what’s your resolution style? What changes can you make that will make this a better year, a better semester, or a better week?