How to Actually Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions in 2024

Why is it so hard to keep New Year’s resolutions? Local life coach Kristin Weaver has some strategies for success—and it starts with really wanting to make the change and celebrating incremental achievements along the way.

What is the first step to creating a change in habits?
Identify your “why.” If your reason for change isn’t deep enough, you will fall back into old behaviors. Short-term reasons lead to short-term outcomes. Dig deeper and be honest with yourself.

What are your go-to tips for setting intentions and goals for yourself?
Set achievable benchmarks to celebrate on the way to your end goal. Sometimes, only looking toward your long-term goal can get discouraging—it seems so far away, and you lose motivation. Checking off boxes on the way to your goal boosts confidence. Celebrate them, no matter how small. In today’s world of instant gratification, that dopamine hit can carry you all the way through the finish line.

Are there any common roadblocks people might experience when enacting change?
I’ve found that fear is the most common: fear of failure, fear of judgment, sometimes even the fear of success. This fear is just a defense mechanism we create in our minds. We create this monster under the bed that keeps us hiding under our covers. Slay that monster. Throw those covers off and start taking action.

How can we achieve lasting success with the goals we set for ourselves?
Self-discipline and consistency are the keys to achieving success with your goals. It’s about striving for progress, not perfection. Get one-percent better every day. Now, that’s going to take 100-percent effort. There will be moments of weakness—you are human. Hold space for the imperfections, learn from them, and move on. You are winning as long as you can say you moved forward when you lay your head down at night.

Are there any daily practices or tools that might help in following through?
Creating your environment for success has proven to be an effective tool. It sets the stage for consistent behaviors to thrive. For example, if you are trying to lose weight, throw out junk food and put fruits and veggies on the counter. If you are trying to read more, take apps off your phone you are inclined to spend time on and place books on the bedside table. By removing obstacles, you can create a space that naturally guides you toward your desired goals. Lastly, get an accountability buddy. My 11-year-old son taught me this. It’s basically having a friend who will hold you accountable if you venture off course. They will help you stay honest with yourself and vice versa.

WHAT YOU NEED:

ACCOUNTABILITY: Set up your environment for success and have a friend keep you honest.

SMALL WINS: Take baby steps and celebrate small wins.

CLEAR SPACE: Remove any reminders of old habits from your environment.