As 2015 gets underway, many people begin to focus on their New Year’s Resolutions. Most of the country makes at least one resolution each year, but according to a University of Scranton study, only 8 percent of people keep their resolution(s) by the end of the year. This lack of follow-through can be attributed to several reasons, but the most common is a lack of clarity in resolution(s). By giving yourself smaller goals that are clearly outlined, the chance of being successful in your changes for the new year become much more achievable. If you made one or more resolutions this year but are struggling with them, try these alternatives in 2015.
Resolution #1: “Lose Weight”
Realistic Alternative: Kick a bad health-related habit, or pick up a good one.
Losing weight is one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions. However, something as vague as losing weight can make it easy to get discouraged and stop working towards your goal. There are multiple more-specific and targeted ways to improve physical health that are better for you and will offer more positive results than the arbitrary goal of simply lowering the number on the scale.
By removing an unhealthy habit in your life, such as cutting out soda (or even only reserving it for special occasions, rather than every day) or having something small in the morning to start out your day, you can take steps towards the “new you” of 2015.
Resolution #2: “Get More Sleep”
Realistic Alternative: Stop taking your phone to bed.
Most people get far less sleep than what they need to properly function, with college students being one of the worst demographics for sleep deprivation. If you find yourself sluggish throughout the day, dozing off in class, having trouble getting out of bed in the morning (well, more difficulty than usual) or not feeling nearly as alert as you should, you may be sleep deprived and could benefit from a night of more (or higher quality) sleep.
There are many ways to increase the amount of sleep you get per night, but one of the most effective is to limit (or remove entirely) time on your phone in bed. Not only can it be distracting, but spending time scrolling on your phone once you get into bed can have physical consequences as well: the bright light of your screen can disrupt your body’s natural rhythm by making your brain think it is daytime, keeping you up when you should be getting the sleep your body needs.
Resolution #3: “Save Money”
Realistic Alternative: Regulate and keep track of your spending.
If by the end of 2014, you found yourself with less money than you would have liked, saving money is most likely your resolution. However, without a clear strategy to save in mind, it can be easy to lose track of spending and not save nearly as much as you would like to. In order to make this a more achievable goal, start small by keeping track of how much you spend, and where exactly you spend it.
One way to do this is through apps such as Expensify and Check (both free on iOS and Android), which allow users to quickly and easily keep track of things like expenditures, bills and savings. If becoming a better manager of your money is on your list of things to accomplish for 2015, consider downloading one of these apps or try your own strategy. Also, something as simple as checking your balance on a daily basis will prevent any unfortunate surprises.
While it may be easy to lose track of what you want to accomplish, the reward of sticking with it and finishing what you set out to do will be well worth it. So, remember: start small, create goals you can accomplish and don’t be afraid to ask for help from a friend or family member. Chances are they want to see you succeed just as much as you do.
