Have you also decided to ring in the New Year hoping that this time will be different? Whether it’s eating healthy, working out, or saving more money, we all start out strong, but by February, those goals usually seem overly ambitious and extremely out of reach. But what if this year actually turns out to be the year you succeed and follow through on your resolutions? Here’s a quick guide on how to achieve just that!
Choose goals that you are passionate about
The first trick is pretty simple — come up with a way to make fulfilling your resolutions a little more joyful. Why torture yourself with fresh boiled vegetables or boring workouts? If healthy eating is your goal, consider desi treats like masala oats or fruit chaat instead of forcing yourself to gorge on plain salads or quinoa. If fitness is your goal, sign up for a Zumba class or take up a sport like cricket or badminton. When you enjoy the process, it becomes really easier to stick with it.
Make your goals specific
Vague goals like “get fitter” or “save money” won’t help you make real progress. Instead, make your decisions clear and measurable. For example, decide to run 3 km in 30 minutes by March or to save money ₹10,000 on Holi. Specific goals keep you focused and motivated to hit the targets along the way; so you can tell that the more you do it, the closer you are to your goal.
Plan, plan, plan!
A well-thought-out plan is half the battle won. Break your goal down into small actionable steps that fit your schedule. If your goal is to cook more at home, start by cooking or learning 1-2 simple recipes each week instead of forcing yourself to cook from scratch every day. Want to save? Watch your spending and start small – maybe your daily tapira tea will be a second-day treat rather than a daily necessity.
Consider distractions
If there’s one thing you can take for granted, it’s that life can be unpredictable, from when your trainer doesn’t show up at the gym to when you’ll finish preparing a healthy meal before the week is out. . The key is to plan for these hiccups. If you decide to exercise, create a backup plan, such as watching short yoga or workout videos on YouTube. For a healthy meal, stock up on easy-to-prepare snacks like fruit, nuts, or pre-cut vegetables to keep you from reaching for junk food.
Find an accountability buddy
Another thing that really helps keep New Year’s resolutions is to get a friend, sibling or partner to do it with you. Want to do more? Convince your sibling to join you for morning walks. Want to run a marathon? Your partner would probably like to keep you company on the trails. Working towards a goal with someone makes it fun and keeps you on track!
Celebrate the small victories
Have you cooked gar ka khan in a week? Saved ₹1000 this month? Pamper yourself (but wisely). Maybe catch up on your favorite web series or buy that little treat you’ve been eyeing, because small celebrations keep you excited and motivated to achieve so much more than you thought possible.
Remember, progress beats perfection. Even if you stumble, the important thing is to get back on track. With a little planning, patience and positivity, 2025 can be your most successful year yet!
