The Most Common New Year’s Resolutions & How To Keep Them
It seem like just yesterday we were welcoming in the new millennium and 20 years have come and gone since then. This is the year to make some excellent resolutions and Stick. With. Them!
With about 60% of the U.S. making resolutions, but only 8% actually keeping them, we’re here to help you make it happen. We understand it’s hard to make big changes, and actually keep them going, but with the right mindset and tools, you can do it! We believe in you!
Here are some of the most-common New Year’s Resolutions, as well as some tips for sticking with your 2020 promises, no matter what they are. Enjoy!
(1) GET HEALTHY
Its probably no surprise to hear that this is the #1 resolution for Americans.
If eating healthier is one of your top new year priorities, that's great. But "I'm going to eat healthier this year" is one of those well intentioned, but too-hard-to-define goals that’s ore easily, said, than done. So if the big idea is healthier eating, you'll have better success if you break it down in to bite-sized mini-goals like these healthy eating tips we've gathered from registered dietitians.
** Tips for keeping your New Year’s Resolution to eat healthy:
https://scop...-eat-healthy/
(2) TRY NEW THINGS AND TAKE MORE CHANCES
It’s been said that “The biggest risk is not taking one.”
We couldn’t agree more. People tend to be creatures of habit. It’s sometimes hard to break away from our comfy, safe routines to go for something bigger or better... to try something new... to change something big in our lives... but those are the moments that help to define us.
Be sure to force yourself to try some new things this year. Perhaps just promise yourself one new, HUGE thing for the year, or something small, every month, until you can try something, small each week, then every day, even!
Travel, meet new people, try a new type of food...
you’ll never be sorry you tried something new; that you had an experience, unique to you, whether it was a success or failure. You’re growing, learning, and experiencing life!
** 7 Risks Everyone Needs to Take: https://www....e-should-take
(3) REDUCE STRESS
Stress eats up WAY too much of our lives! From traffic to work deadlines, making it to our kids’ activities and school on time, cooking, cleaning, and more... stress sucks!
Stop letting this awful time wasting, energy depriving thing into our precious lives and moments and work to minimize it!
- Learn to project positivity.
Try to have the constant mindset of positivity. We know it’s super hard sometimes but the more you tell yourself positive things, the more you’ll begin to train yourself to think that way, without even trying! Your positive outlook and mantras will even help to inspire positivity in the world around you.
- Learn to meditate.
“The key to developing a successful meditation practice is finding the right fit for you. In order to figure out what kind of meditation works best for you, you’ll have to put a few types of meditation to the test and try several tools so you can choose the practice that feels the most comfortable. Follow these six simple steps to begin one type of meditation technique called mantra meditation.”
**16 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress and Anxiety: https://www....tress-anxiety
(4) MOVE MORE, SIT LESS
As 2020 approaches, many people will be making their New Year’s resolutions or intentions for the upcoming year. When it comes to healthy resolutions – smoking cessation, eating healthier, drinking less alcohol, and getting more exercise are perennial favorites.
But have you considered a resolution to sit less? We all know that what we put in our body affects our overall health, but did you also know there is growing evidence that sitting or inactivity for several hours a day is unhealthy as well.
A review of numerous clinical studies has confirmed that prolonged inactivity – defined as eight to 12 hours per day – has become a risk factor for poor health, including conditions like cardiovascular disease, cancer and type II diabetes.
With so many advances in technology, our lifestyles are changing, and as a result, we’re spending a lot more time sitting down – at home, at work, commuting, while travelling, and at sports and entertainment events. Everywhere you go, there are opportunities to sit more.
**24 Ways To Move More: https://dari...-to-move-more
(5) SPEND MORE TIME WITH FAMILY
Everyone's busy these days, it's true. But blood is thicker than water, and the beginning of the year is an ideal time to reconnect with family that you haven't seen in a while. Great idea, right? Then February arrives, reality sets in, and you realize that the reason you didn't see cousin Jim more often is because he really isn't that interesting at all. Or that plan to spend more time with the kids? Well, it turns out that work doesn't magically disappear with the dawning of a new year, and you're at the office more than ever. It's a hard promise to keep — no matter how sincere the desire.
**15 Simple Ways to Spend More Quality Time With Family: https://redi...quality-time/
(6) SAVE MONEY
When it comes to money, setting New Year’s resolutions for yourself is easy, but committing to and following through with those resolutions is a completely different story. This is why it is important to set realistic and achievable financial goals for yourself. There is hardly a quicker way to shove those New Year’s resolutions aside than to realize that they are unattainable or that you have set the bar so high that only Warren Buffett himself could achieve them. That being said, here are a few ideas for money-saving New Year’s resolutions that are set to reasonable levels and thus promote continued progress throughout the year.
- Learn to save
Learning to save sounds easy, but it doesn’t happen overnight. Becoming accustomed to money-saving techniques can be a lengthy and involved process, especially for those of us who haven’t had much experience with it. Using coupons, looking for store discounts and sales, tracking our expenses, and utilizing a budget are skills many of us have learned to do without until recently. A fresh year provides the perfect excuse to buckle down and become familiar with the saving process.
- Build a budget
Starting off the year with a budget is an easy resolution that can be completed while watching television or soaking in the tub. Your budget doesn’t have to be in a fancy spreadsheet with graphs and charts. A simple, hand-written list of expenses and incomes can get you started, and can be expanded later if needed. The hard part of this resolution is committing yourself to watching, modifying, and adhering to your budget over the course of the year. Consider putting your budget in an easy to see place like your refrigerator or computer desktop so that it will be a constant reminder of your financial goals and your commitment to those goals.
- Start a rainy day fund
If you don’t have one already, starting an emergency fund can be a good New Year’s resolution. You never know what tomorrow might hold when it comes to your finances, but with an emergency fund, you can face the unknown with a bit more confidence. While some financial gurus call for you to have $500 in the bank, you may want to stash a bit more than that. $500 won’t get you far these days, especially if you lose your job. Even one or two months of your average income can go fast, so build up a fund you’re comfortable with. Bear in mind that if you have outstanding credit card debt, you might want to deal with that first to eliminate those costly interest payments.
*** MAKE THEM STICK ***
Here are 10 helpful tips for sticking to your resolutions:
1. BE REALISTIC
The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make your goal unattainable. For instance, resolving to NEVER eat your favorite food again is setting you up to fail. Instead, strive for a goal that is attainable, such as avoiding it more often than you do now.
2. PLAN AHEAD
Don’t make your resolution on New Year’s Eve. If you wait until the last minute, it will be based on your mindset that particular day. Instead, it should be planned well before December 31st arrives.
3. OUTLINE YOUR PLAN
Decide how you will deal with the temptation to skip that exercise class or have that piece of cake. This could include calling on a friend for help, practicing positive thinking and self-talk, or reminding yourself how your “bad behavior” will affect your goal.
4. MAKE A “PROS” AND “CONS” LIST
It may help to see a list of items on paper to keep your motivation strong. Develop this list over time, and ask others to contribute to it. Keep your list with you and refer to it when you need help keeping your resolve.
5. TALK ABOUT IT
Don’t keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends and family members who will be there to support your resolve to change yourself for the better or improve your health. The best-case scenario is to find a buddy who shares your New Year’s resolution and motivate each other.
6. REWARD YOURSELF
This doesn’t mean that you can eat an entire box of chocolates if your resolution is to eat a better diet. Instead, celebrate your success by treating yourself to something you enjoy that doesn’t contradict your resolution. If you have been sticking to your promise to eat better, for example, reward yourself with new fitness clothing or by going to a movie with a friend.
7. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS
Keep track of each small success. Short-term goals are easier to keep, and each small accomplishment will help keep you motivated. Instead of focusing on losing 30 pounds, focus on losing the first five. Keep a food journal to help you stay on track, and reward yourself for each five pounds lost.
8. DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP
Obsessing over the occasional slip won’t help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take one day at a time.
9. STICK TO IT
Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity to become a habit and six months for it to become part of your personality. It won’t happen overnight, so be persistent and patient!
10. KEEP TRYING
If you have totally run out of steam when it comes to keeping your resolution by mid-February, don’t despair. Start over again! Recommit yourself for 24 hours. You can do anything for 24 hours. The 24-hour increments will soon build on each other and, before you know it, you will be back on track.
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Whether your resolution is to be adventurous and try new things, spend time with loves ones, or relax more we encourage you to give a painting and wine class at Pinot’s Palette a try! Painting and other relaxing activities help to relax you, as well as a glass of wine can aid in stress-relief; You’ll be enjoying a creative and fun experience with loved ones and you spend time together and bond over something new!
Bring in all of your loved ones to join you, after the holiday craziness is over, and enjoy some of our amazing paintings this January. Who knows?! You might discover a talent you never knew you had!!
We hope to see you all soon and have a wonderful 2020!!!
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