How to Keep That New Year's Motivation: 5 Simple Tips
It’s been a month since we made our New Year’s resolutions — time to take stock: how are your resolutions coming? Most resolutions are abandoned within 10 days of making them! If you want to get over your metaphorical hurdles and master your goals, staying motivated is key! So how do you keep that drive you had early in the year? For starters, follow these 5 simple tips!
1. Think small and simple
The larger the goal, the more unattainable it seems. All resolutions take work, but if you bite off a huge bite, you’ll never be able to chew it all at once! So break it down and make it simple. Work backwards. Think about your overall goal and figure out what will lead you there. Then take that secondary goal and divide it into smaller steps you can take to reach it. Do this as many times as necessary, breaking your ultimate goal into as many small, simple steps as you can. A basic, step-by-step approach will be much more manageable than trying to do everything at once.
2. Set it in stone
So to speak. Writing your goals down serves a three-fold purpose. First, writing things down makes them much more concrete. Goals begin to have form and substance when they’re not just a thought in your head. Second, you’ll have something to refer to so you can remember all of your mini-goals; your step-by-step approach. Third, there’s nothing more satisfying than putting a solid check mark next to the things you accomplish! Write your ultimate goal at the top, and each smaller goal beneath. Look at this list often. Tape it up where you can see it daily: on a bathroom mirror, on the fridge, or right by your bed.
3. Talk it out
Tell your family and friends about your plans. Don’t keep it all bottled up! It might be something highly personal, but sharing makes the work easier. Ask someone you trust to help you focus and hold yourself accountable. That way, not only will you have someone to talk to about your progress, your regression, your mistakes and triumphs, but that person can also help you refocus, regroup and recharge when you lose sight of the endgame. Find others who are working towards the same goals. Whatever your resolutions may be, there’s bound to be someone else working toward the same things. The more you talk about your goals and progress, the more likely you are to find someone who shares them. Talk it up on Facebook. Talk it up with family and friends and at church and work. Ask around. Seek out “groups” and “communities” that serve your ultimate purposes so you can help each other.
4. Be positive
Don’t let yourself be dragged down by negativity. Do all you can to surround yourself with positive thinkers, positive actions, and positive thoughts and mottoes. Print out your favorite quotes and create an inspiration board. Read these affirming thoughts daily. Positive words, thoughts, and actions will lead to a more can-do attitude.
5. Reward yourself
Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back for a job well done! Whenever you’re able to check off a mini-goal, a larger goal, and finally your ULTIMATE goal, give yourself positive rewards that are meaningful to you. For goals that are particularly hard to accomplish, step up the reward — make sure the rewards match the corresponding goals met. Rewards can be anything from allowing yourself to download extra music off iTunes when you meet a workout goal, to getting yourself a new wardrobe piece whenever you meet a weight goal, to putting the kids to bed 5 minutes early a few times to give yourself a “break”. Anything you connect with, that you desire, and that speaks to you can be a reward.
Kimberly Mueller is the “me” over at bugaboo, mini, mr & me, a blog that highlights her creative endeavors. She especially likes to share kid crafts, sewing attempts, recipes, upcycled projects, photography and free printable gift tags/cards. When she’s not enjoying being married to her best friend, chasing after the natives (AKA her three kids) and attempting to keep the house in one piece, you can find her with a glue gun in one hand and spray paint in the other. Aside from DIY pursuits, she also enjoys writing, reading, music, singing (mostly in the shower) and the color yellow. Kimberly recently published a craft book entitled Modern Mod Podge. You can also find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’ and Instagram. Email her at: bugabooblog(at)yahoo.com
Kimberly Mueller is the “me” over at bugaboo, mini, mr & me, a blog that highlights her creative endeavors. She especially likes to share kid crafts, sewing attempts, recipes, upcycled projects, photography and free printable gift tags/cards. When she’s not enjoying being married to her best friend, chasing after the natives (AKA her three kids) and attempting to keep the house in one piece, you can find her with a glue gun in one hand and spray paint in the other. Aside from DIY pursuits, she also enjoys writing, reading, music, singing (mostly in the shower) and the color yellow. Kimberly recently published a craft book entitled Modern Mod Podge. You can also find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’ and Instagram.
