Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions – Helpful Tips with Ellie Shefi
Article by Brianna Melanson
Originally published in Franklin Lifestyle
Ellie Shefi is an international best-selling author, speaker, entrepreneur coach, creator of the Free by Design™ and You Are Not Your Scars™ programs, and founder of Made 2 Change the World™ Foundation (made2change.org). She shares her expert advice on how to keep your resolutions and make your 2022 successful.
1. Have a strong, clear, powerful “why” for the change you want to make.
Changing behaviors, habits, and routines can be challenging, so it’s important to be crystal clear about why you want to make a given change. Ensure that your reason is strong and powerful enough to motivate you and help keep you on track. Your why will be the anchor that keeps you focused, grounded, and committed and the fuel that drives you forward when you feel like quitting.
2. Get leverage over yourself.
Be clear with yourself about the consequences that you’ll experience if you give up or quit. What will happen if things go back to how they were? What will happen if you don’t make the change you desire? When you are clear about the consequences that will result from giving up, it’s easier to find the strength and
resolve to continue.
3. Make small, incremental changes that move the needle.
Too often at this time of year, people resolve to do something that’s big and takes time. Then they get discouraged when they don’t see the results they want as quickly as they want. Small hinges swing big doors, so start by changing the small things that have a larger compounding effect. For example, someone might resolve to lose 30 pounds. That’s an end-goal rather than a clearly defined and manageable change. A stronger way to frame that resolution would be to commit to walking at least 15 minutes per day, or to drink one less soda.
4. Habit stack.
Habit stacking is when you add a new action to your already existing routine. For example, if one of your resolutions is to learn Spanish, you could play
language videos while you’re getting ready in the morning. You’re already in the bathroom getting ready, so watching the videos moves the needle but doesn’t add any time to your existing routine.
5. Get an accountability buddy.
Even the best of us have days where we need a gentle nudge. Setting regular check-ins with someone who will hold you to your commitments, not accept your excuses, encourage you, and celebrate you will help you show up for yourself even when you don’t feel like it.
6. Show yourself grace.
There’s no benefit to blame, shame, or guilt, so while you can acknowledge that you dropped the proverbial ball, the important thing is to not beat yourself up over it. Pick yourself back up, dust yourself off, recalibrate your resolve, and double down on your commitment to yourself. Then take a deep breath and keep going. You’ve got this!
