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Each year, when the clock strikes midnight, we promise to be a better version of ourselves. This may mean we give up our beloved chocolate, go from couch potato to gym fanatic, alongwith an array of other bold beliefs. However, the number of people who actually see their New Year resolutions through is minimal and, typically, by the end of January the gyms begin to be less crowded and chocolate sales are back on a high. It sounds harsh but I know the pattern all too well. Until 2016, I had fallen victim to the conviction that I would do exactly what I said for the rest of the year - without planning my promises out or even remembering what they were after the first few months.

For this reason, when 2017 was fast approaching I decided to spend some time thinking of ways I would be able to follow through on my word. After a quick google search I came up with a promise checklist and can safely say it got me through 2017.

The real trick to resolutions is thinking carefully about ways we can stick to them so sit back and relax whilst I show you my go-to hacks so that your 2018 resolutions are carried out throughout the year!

The first thing to do is take some time to really think about what you’d like to achieve in 2018. We all rush to promise to change our lives radically but these are rash decisions which rarely last (for me at least). I like to consider New Year resolutions as lifestyle choices rather than a quick decision, after all change doesn’t happen overnight. At first, I used to write my resolutions out like a shopping list - a page crammed with bullet points on how to change every aspect of my life. Rather than promising to change the entire world I now like to start small - for example, volunteering at a local homeless shelter or eating more fruit each week. I would decide my goals based on them meeting SMART requirements: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely.

Another good tactic I use is to substitute instead of eliminate. For example, I would stop eating chocolate by substituting it with yogurt a few times a week. This way, rather than having my resolution feel like a form of punishment, I am simply changing by habit into something healthier. Whilst it may seem like a small goal this will ensure I stick to my promise instead of scoffing half  a block of chocolate on February 1st.

As put best by psychologist Lynn Bufka “Setting small, attainable goals throughout the year, instead of a singular, overwhelming goal on January 1 can help you reach whatever it is you strive for. Remember, it is not the extent of the change that matters, but rather the act of recognizing that lifestyle change is important and working toward it, one step at a time.”

One key thing to remember is that perfection is unattainable. That means you shouldn’t beat yourself up if you slip into old habits. A positive and optimistic attitude paired with SMART goals will help you self-improve from January all the way into December 2018 and beyond!

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