2021 Will Be Different: How To Keep Your New Year's Resolutions

Congratulations, you've made it through another 365 days (in 2021, it can be considered a success)!

It might feel like the clock's unique tick doesn't change much, but the beginning of the new year is a great time to take stock, reflect, and make new promises. 

"New year, new me" mindset can help you achieve your goals; you just need to know how to use it to your advantage.

According to experts from wellness centers in Houston, most people don't achieve their goals because they don't plan them properly. If you tend to set a high bar, multitask, procrastinate, and feel disappointed at the end of the year, check these tips:

To start your year off right, you need to know where you stand and what you really want to improve. You could either discuss your ups and downs with someone you trust or put your thoughts on paper. The second option might be even more convenient since you can be totally honest in your writing.

If you don't know how to reflect on 2020, answer these questions:

1.What am I most proud of?

2. When did I feel the most alive last year?

3. When did I feel at my lowest last year?

These questions are pretty simple, but many of us don't feel the need to answer them. Sometimes we prefer to drift aimlessly until we hit rock bottom and realize how much time we wasted. 

If you want to get to know yourself better, consider asking even more questions.  Why do I push people away? Why don't I feel happy about my friend's success? Why don't I feel proud of myself? You never know what you will find if you start digging deeper. 

The term S.M.A.R.T. goal is often used in project management. This acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound goals and can help you with your new year's resolutions. Here is what this framework looks like:

"I want to make more money" sounds like a good new year's resolution, but it's not specific enough. You need to know how you are going to achieve it. Will you ask your boss for a raise? Or will you start freelancing? Answers to these questions will help you understand where you are going, so be specific when setting goals for the new year.

Let's go back to your initial, theoretical goal, "make more money." To track your progress and know you've reached the finish line, you need to incorporate a measurable benchmark. How much of a raise should you get? Or how much money would you like to make on the side?

Most adults fail to learn a new skill only because they forget that they have to start small. After a few drawing lessons, you won't be like Picasso or Monet. Moreover, your six-year-old nephew might still draw better than you. And that's ok. Success takes time.

Your new year's resolution should be ambitious yet realistic. You might not become a millionaire within one year (but who knows, right), but you can totally pay off your student loan and maybe even save a few grand. 

If you feel unhappy and unmotivated, it could mean that you set the bar too high. Think about it. 

Before you commit to the goal, ask yourself whether you see a clear benefit attached to it. Describe how you would feel once you reach your chosen objective. 

How much we would achieve if there were no procrastination in the world. One thing that can beat your procrastination is a self-imposed deadline. Remember that you don't have all the time in the world. No one does. 

People around you (your colleagues, friends, partner(s)) set standards for you. As a journalist, H.L. Mencken once noted: man's satisfaction with his salary depends on whether he makes more than his wife's sister's husband. 

If you want to push yourself forward, surround yourself with people who are more successful than you. They will help to raise your standards and stick to your new year's resolutions. No wonder people say, "tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are." 

That's how it looks in practice:

To stay on track, you need to sit down with yourself once in a while and honestly evaluate your progress. Regular check-ins will help you identify mistakes and steadily improve.

First of all, you need to decide on the form of a review. You can either keep a journal, just like Winston Churchill or Ernest Hemingway, or cross items off your to-do list. Secondly, it's important to set aside time for self-reviews.

New year's resolutions can change your life for the better, but only if you stick to them (surprise, surprise). With the right approach, you can accomplish a lot within one year. Don't stretch your goals into infinity; you can start taking small steps now. 

Your efforts will pay off quickly if you set SMART goals, surround yourself with inspiring people, and stay on track with regular check-ins. There might be nothing special about 2021, but you can make it the best year of your life. Are you ready?