5 Ways to Make Your New Years Resolutions Stick

We are a little over one month away from ushering in another New Year! This is a pivotal moment, a chance to embrace a fresh start and a clean slate. The New Year symbolizes renewal and the perfect opportunity to cultivate new habits and goals. With the arrival of 1/1, there's a sense of simplicity and order that makes it an ideal time to embark on new ventures. As we open a new calendar and journal, we leave behind the hustle of the holidays and step into the long, cold winter months—a perfect backdrop to focus on personal growth and new beginnings. Let this New Year be a transformative journey, filled with opportunities to start anew and achieve greatness.

Resolutions are notoriously difficult, and people have started using other times of the year to quit something, often with a catchy name like "Sober September." Last year, my "Dry January" attempt quickly turned into a "Dry J..."—I didn't get very far. The reason for my failure was my lack of full commitment to making a change in my life.

After my mother's passing in October, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions, which made the rest of the year pass by in a blur as we moved into 2024. A few other life events occurred as well, but they were wonderful experiences that helped me gain perspective for the things I did want to change.

Here's how the remainder of my 2024 unfolded...I gave up smoking and reduced my drinking significantly. This is truly one of the most significant and positive changes I've made in my life. Although I've gained around 20 pounds, my current focus is on taking small steps towards becoming strong and healthy, and I'm making great progress.

Looking back, now that I'm knee-deep in Nurse Coaching, it's obvious why I fumbled. Let's face it, November and December are the months when we all pretend to be introspective and decide who we want to be next year—spoiler alert: it's usually someone who goes to the gym more than once. Here's a list of tips you probably already know, but I'm throwing them in because the blog title insists I look like I know what I'm doing. ;)

1. Create a list of what truly matters to you—not just surface-level items like "my children" or "a home I adore." Delve deeper. What are your life aspirations? Where do you envision yourself in a year, and what or who are the key elements that will help you reach that point? Why do these elements hold significance for you?

   
   

2. Allow yourself a few days before revisiting the list. Examine it. Does it appear accurate? If not, make updates; if it is correct, that's fantastic!

   
   

3. Create a separate list of the changes you wish to make (also known as New Year's Resolutions). Beside each item, note down the obstacles preventing you from achieving them. For example: "I want to be healthier" with the obstacle, "I work 12 hours a day and am too exhausted after work to prepare a healthy meal or go to the gym."

   
   

4. Examine list 1, which contains things that matter to you, and list 3, which includes your resolutions. Do these resolutions align with what is important to you? If not, cross them out.

   
   

5. Sign up now for Individual or our new 2025 Group Nurse Coaching with me. Bring your refined list and prepare to transform your life with your resolutions.

Don't miss this opportunity to make a positive change in your life!