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2021 is the beacon of hope we’ve all been waiting for. It’s going to be the year we finally arrive, become the best versions of ourselves (and get vaccinated, hopefully!). Our new year resolutions for this year might just be more ambitious than ever. We could all use them as the perfect excuse to eat healthier, wake up earlier, land that dream job — well, the possibilities are endless! But as hopeful and exciting as 2021 seems, it’s no secret that 80% of new year resolutions fail right around the month of February.

So how can you make your new year’s resolutions stick this time around? After all, 2021 deserves to be the redeeming year it promises to be, right? We totally think so and that’s why we’ve curated practical and resourceful ways to *actually* stay true to your new year’s resolutions, through its 365 days! So, without much ado, let’s jump right into it!

#1 Set one or two resolutions only

Reminder: Your new year’s resolution list is not your bucket list! Instead of setting yourself up for failure by having a tedious list of unrealistic resolutions, keep your list short and sweet, with one or two goals that you can realistically work towards — not just for a few months, but through the year. If you have just a couple of new year’s resolutions as opposed to say, ten, chances are you’re more likely to keep them.

#2 Make sure they are meaningful to you

When your resolutions don’t mean much to you, you’re likely to be demotivated and skip them. Make sure you set resolutions you genuinely care about, so you can invest all your might into working towards them. Often we set resolutions to meet others’ (read: well-meaning) expectations of us — which isn’t a bad thing — but it always helps to think about how much you care about that goal, and then decide if it’s something you can stay committed to for the rest of the year.

#3 Articulate your resolutions

Sure, new year’s resolutions are meant to be audacious projects, but we often articulate them in a way that tends to overwhelm us, making it all feel far-fetched and eventually, unimaginable to pull off. Here’s a little guideline that’ll help you approach them better.

How to articulate your new year’s resolutions

Instead of Say
In 2021, I want to get in the best shape of my life. In 2021, I want to build lean muscle and improve my flexibility
In 2021, I want to land my dream job In 2021, I will apply to 20 of my dream companies
In 2021, I will save more money I will save 30% of my monthly earnings and create a separate fund for emergencies

By making your new year’s resolutions tangible, you’re making them less scary and so much easier to work towards!

#4 Break down your goals into actionable tasks

New year 1

Now that you have your new year’s resolutions sorted, think about what you need to do to make them come to life. For instance, if getting fit is your grand resolution for 2021, should you invest in workout equipment, or maybe sign up with a personal trainer? Write down everything you need to do to fulfill your goal, and may we also recommend adding well-defined milestones to help you meet them in the due course of the year!

For instance, you might want to do a certain difficult exercise with ease by March, or you might want to gain ‘x’ pounds of lean fat by July.

New year 2

Adding in milestones for your big goal can keep you determined and accountable throughout 2021, making it less likely for you to toss your new year resolutions by March!

#5 Think of creative ways to stay accountable

Often having a peer with the same objective as you can help ensure you don’t lose sight of your new year’s resolution. Make it a fun group project, where you motivate and check-in on each other’s progress. Set up monthly virtual catch-ups to discuss your challenges, and how you can improve working towards your goal in the months to come.

#6 You don’t have to begin on January 1st

Yep, we know — ‘New year, new me’ and all that, but who says you can’t bend the rules and start working on your resolutions in December? If that’s going to keep you motivated, by all means, give it a shot! Another hack is to kickstart working on your resolutions in February, a month in which we typically witness a dip in motivation levels. There are no rules really — you do you!

New year 3

We hope these practical tips and recommendations help you keep track of your new year’s resolutions for 2021. Remember that now is as good as any time to start working on your big goals; the beginning of a new year is merely a good time to introspect on the year that was and where you see yourself as you move forward. So don’t be too hard on yourself and just keep swimming!

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