This year, nearly one in four Americans resolve to change something about themselves or their lives in the New Year, according to data collected in a poll by YouGovAmerica.
Yet an article published in 2019 by the University of Alabama Hospital, Birmingham (UAB Medicine News) indicates that less than 8% of those who make New Year’s resolutions will keep them. Why is this? What helps some people keep their resolutions while others fail?
Those who are most successful, according to the UAB article, are those who adhere to the following recommendations (paraphrased):
- Start with small goals: small, manageable goals are more accessible to achieve than significant, grand goals. For example, instead of saying, “I want to lose 40 pounds,” you could say, “I want to lose one pound per week for the next four weeks. And I will repeat that each month until I have lost 40 pounds.”
- Set resolutions for the right reasons: Are your goals important to you? Think them through carefully and understand why you have chosen those resolutions.
- Document your progress: Write down your progress in a notepad, journal, or another tool. Celebrate the little wins because each one contributes to the result.
- Practice patience and forgiveness: Be kind and patient with yourself when you fail to achieve desired results. Give yourself some grace, pick yourself up, and start over.
- Schedule in time to achieve goals: Schedule time to work on your goals and stick to the schedule. You may have to sacrifice an extra hour of sleep or some social activities. Remember that your goals are important!
- Embrace the buddy system: You don’t have to go it alone – having someone to travel with you will help keep you both on track.
- Consider your budget: You can accomplish your goals without draining yourself financially. For example, consider purchasing some simple exercise equipment for your home instead of buying an expensive gym membership. Walking is one of the best ways to lose weight, and it costs nothing
- Slow down and meditate: Take time each day to reflect on your goals and why you committed to them. Then, take life more slowly, breathe deeply, and repeat positive affirmations like “I can do this!”
- Reward yourself for achievements: Treat yourself to something when you have achieved a milestone or progress marker on your road to success.
- Ask others to keep you accountable: Share your resolutions with people you trust and feel comfortable with – people who will provide positive reinforcement when needed or cheer you on when you’re struggling.
At Taxi Mom, our goals for the New Year are the same as they have always been: to provide safe, reliable transportation for your children, engage in the community, and serve our clients to the best of our ability.
Whatever your plans are for 2022, thank you for being a part of our family.
