At the start of a new year, many of us consciously reflect on the past 12 months. In particular, we consider the goals we achieved and measure how well we followed the resolutions set last year. Therefore, if you want your new year’s resolutions to become lasting habits, break them down into smaller, attainable steps. As a result, as January ends, I explain how to make goals more achievable below.
Next, after confirming your goals are realistic, break the year into stages. This way, you can regularly review your progress toward each goal. Ideally, review your goals quarterly to track success and adjust if needed. Additionally, this approach helps you account for sudden financial changes or personal emergencies during the year.
At Morgan Latif, we emphasise the importance of goal setting for team members. Consequently, it helps them plan how to reach achievements more effectively. For example, we recently gave every employee a copy of the book Atomic Habits, which advocates habit change. Specifically, the book introduces the Four Laws of Behaviour Change, guiding good habits and breaking bad ones. By doing so, focusing on daily habits allows us to align them with our desired goals. For instance, if someone wants to read five books in a year, they might read 20 minutes daily. Ultimately, this small habit ensures they reach their goal by year-end.
There are so many ways we can all structure and plan our goals. This ensures that new resolutions become lasting habits and long-term changes as I’ve already explained. I’ve listed the top ways below:
- Write down your goals in the present tense.
By writing our goals in the present tense (as if we have already achieved them), we can trick our subconscious mind. This helps find the easiest path to achieve them.
- Break your goals down.
As I explained above, breaking down your goals makes reaching them less overwhelming and more attainable. For example, if you have a goal to save £10,000 in one year, it’s much easier to break this goal into 4 months of saving £2,500. This helps you see how you are measuring against this goal.
- Believe them
What becomes real in your mind will become real in your life.
- Give yourself incentives for achieving goals.
If you are lacking motivation and, for example, your goal is to save a certain amount of money, each month you reach this goal. Set a budget to treat yourself to incentivise your goals.
- Find a proper reason for achieving your goals.
A common goal is owning a home, it’s important to think about why this is a goal. Is it a superficial reason such as to impress friends and family? Or something personally meaningful like raising a family? The more personal and authentic reasoning you have for your goals will help you to achieve them easier.
Remember even if you begin to struggle for motivation and lose momentum with making progress with the habits towards your goals, every new day is a chance to reset and focus on what you want to achieve in life. You only lose if you quit.
We’re interested in our reader’s thoughts on this topic and how you are making your new year’s resolutions become lasting habits. To discuss further please contact @roseharper
