What do you hope for the new year?
The beginning of a new year represents an opportunity to commit to new habits, try new things, and learn new skills. If you have attempted a new year’s resolution in the past, you know how hard it can be to stick to them. In fact, according to recent research, only 8% of people who make new year’s resolutions actually keep them. Most resolutions “fail”.
But we keep making these resolutions because we know it’s important to give ourselves motivation to improve and grow. Use these tips to help your new year’s resolutions stick and promote real change and growth in your life.
Rely on Friends and Family
Any goal is difficult when we tackle it alone. When you make your new year’s resolution, whether that be to lose weight, eat healthier, or use less social media, it is important to rely on the people around you. Your friends and family can keep you accountable to your resolutions and help you stay committed to your goals. Or even more than that, if you have a new year’s resolution that is shared with someone else (maybe you commit to reading a certain number of books a year) you can achieve your goals together.
We know good relationships make all the difference. If finding more of those people is a goal for you, we’d love to have you join us at Church of the Harvest in Olive Branch! Click here to learn more about our Community Groups.
Make A Schedule
So you’ve committed to starting a new hobby, quitting a bad habit, or going to the gym. One thing that can help you stick to your new year’s resolutions is to create a schedule. Maybe you commit to going to the gym 3 times a week. Or maybe you commit to journaling every day. Put those things on a schedule and they will become part of your routine. When you put those things in your calendar you will be more likely to stick to them and follow through.
Plan for Long Term
When you pick your new year’s resolution, it is easy to commit but secretly know that you are gonna stop a month into the year. When you are picking a new year’s resolution, start with the mentality that it will be a long-term commitment. You aren’t just going to save money; you will build a better annual budget. You won’t just read more; you’re going to read a book every month in the upcoming year. If you start your intention with the long term in mind, you are going to hold onto those resolutions for much longer.
Why Make a Resolution?
If lots of people “fail” at their resolutions each year, you might be asking yourself “why bother at all?” That is a reasonable question, especially since sticking to a resolution can feel like a lot of work. But the beginning of the year is a symbolic moment to grow and practice discipline. We aren’t naturally bent towards discipline and perseverance, so the new year is the perfect time to go try something new.
Commit to Something Outside of Yourself
Research shows that self-discipline only goes so far. When you are making a new year’s resolution and the only person you are committed to is yourself, you will find it much harder to stick with it during times when you have no motivation. Find an external motivation to keep yourself going.
The earliest iterations of new year’s resolutions were people committing to God. Consider something outside yourself to help keep you committed to your resolutions, whether that be a relationship with someone, or even your relationship with God.
If you’re considering investing in your spiritual life this year, we would love to have you join us at Church of the Harvest this weekend!
New Year’s Resolution Ideas
Read A Book Every Month: Stretch your brain and find more fruitful rest by reading a new book every month.
Get Connected with a New Community: Make new friends and meet new people by getting connected somewhere like a gym or a church. We’d love to have you here at Church of the Harvest.
Move Your Body: Commit to being more active by going to the gym, taking up a new physical activity (maybe pickleball or rock climbing) or even going for regular walks.
Cook More: Expand your culinary palette by cooking new and different dishes that you wouldn’t normally eat.
Drink More Water: Stay hydrated by drinking 8 glasses of water a day; keep a water bottle on hand to help remind you to drink up.
Pray on a Regular Basis: Focus your heart back on what matters by praying regularly. This can be at the same time every day to help you build good consistency.
Budget for the New Year: Write a consistent budget for your year, and then stick to it. This will help you know how much money you spend, and help you save more.
Create a Cleaning Schedule: Keep your home clean by creating a cleaning schedule to help you remember the important chores like vacuuming, laundry, and dishes.
Go to Bed Earlier: An earlier bedtime can help you get more sleep, and have a more productive day. And going to sleep at the same time every day will help you fall asleep faster.
Journal More: Get yourself a nice journal that you will regularly write in it to help you keep track of what’s going on in your life and in your heart. Journaling is a great meditative practice.
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