Making New Year's resolutions is often a great way to set goals for the upcoming year and gauge where to focus. Unfortunately, making resolutions is the easy part. Staying on track with your New Year's resolutions may be more difficult. If you have struggled before with staying on track with your resolutions, below are a few tips that may help you stay focused.
1. Set Specific and Measurable Goals
While choosing goals such as saving money is a great way to get motivated, the lack of specific measurable and attainable results may make it easier to lose sight of the goal. Determine a goal that may be attainable and make it as specific as possible. For example, set a goal to save enough for an emergency fund of $2,500.1
2. Prepare for Possible Obstacles
One of the most common reasons resolutions get off track is encountering an obstacle that may make your goal more challenging. Even the most well-laid plans may face barriers, so consider what they may be and be ready to address them should they occur. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, you may need to make a plan for the holidays when you know the temptation is likely to be the greatest. The same is true of holiday spending if your goal is saving.2
3. Focus on One Goal at a Time
Too many goals may easily overwhelm you and make it hard to stick to even one. While you may have many goals for the year, take them one at a time. Start with one goal and focus on that goal until completion before moving on to the next priority.2
4. Find Support
Having someone hold you accountable. It's one of the ways to stay on track and work toward your desired goals. Find a friend who shares the same goal to help you through challenges and obstacles. If you don't have someone with the same goal, share your goal with family and friends around you to help you stay focused and on track.1
Important Disclosures:
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however LPL Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.
This article was prepared by WriterAccess.
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Footnotes:
110 Great Tips for Keeping Your Resolutions This Year, Very Well Mind, https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-keep-your-new-years-resolutions-2795719
27 Tips to Make Sure You Actually Keep Your New Year's Resolution This Time, Inc.com, https://www.inc.com/amy-morin/7-tips-to-make-sure-you-actually-keep-your-new-years-resolution-this-time.html