Every year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions and then by the end of that year, they either forget them or haven’t achieved the one thing they tried to do that year.

Whether you’re making a resolution or not, it’s good to know how to set (and reach) goals for your future.

“Some people may have trouble sticking to goals because they don’t distinguish their goals from more casual, everyday self-improvement efforts,” says LucidChart.

Why do we even need to make goals in the first place?

“Goal setting is a purposeful and explicit process that starts with identifying a new objective, skill, or project you want to achieve. Then, you make a plan for achieving it, and you work to complete it,” says LucidChart.

The first step in keeping any goal, not just New Year’s resolutions, is making it realistic. A resolution would be a semi-long term goal, so you can put some work into it over time.
Don’t make your resolution something crazy and extreme like, “I will become a millionaire by November.” Make it something you are capable of reaching.

According to “How Stuff Works”, “One of the most common reasons we break our New Year’s resolutions is that we get a little overzealous when we make them and we over-commit.”

Really think about your resolution and ask yourself if you’re willing to put in the time and effort to reach it. You can always make multiple resolutions that go together, kind of like little steps that lead to the big house, or goal, at the top. They all add up in the end.

Make sure you have a “SMART” goal. SMART stands for; specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound.

“I have a hard time remembering [my resolution],” says freshman Mia Snare.

While many forget their resolutions or goals, there’s a simple solution to this.

Share your goal with someone you trust! They can help hold you accountable for keeping it and keeping up with the steps you’re taking towards it.

“Many of us lack motivation and accountability, despite our best intentions. Remove an easy way out by sharing your plans with friends and family — the more who know your goal, the less likely you’ll talk yourself out of sticking with your new habits,” says “How Stuff Works.”

Next, make a plan. Don’t go into the New Year making a resolution and having no idea how you’re going to get there or what you’re going to do to reach it.

Think out your steps. How are you going to start into working towards your goal? Write it down and create a plan to get to the goal by the date you set.

“Don’t be afraid to get creative with your action plan. Go back to your elementary school days, and get creative. Write out your goal using crayons, markers, or colored pencils, for example. According to Forbes, creating an action plan this way activates a different part of your brain and cements the goals in your mind,” says LucidChart.

It doesn’t have to be stretched over the whole year either! You can have a goal set for the week after New Year’s or a goal set for December of that year. It’s up to you.

“Not only are we not specific or realistic with ourselves, we don’t give ourselves deadlines, and we don’t track our progress,” according to “How Stuff Works.”

Create a timeline for your goal. Set dates along the way that you want to have a certain amount of progress made by then.
“I just don’t think I have enough motivation or determination to really try my hardest at most things,” says freshman Nicole Susko.

This is common when setting goals. However, if you put in the work to track your progress and hold yourself accountable you CAN reach your goal and meet your resolution.

Big or small, any completed resolution is a good one. Even if you can’t reach it, that’s still okay and you tried!

If something goes wrong at any point, don’t get discouraged. If you lose motivation, that’s okay. Remind yourself that it’s all a part of the process and if you believe it, it’s likely you can do it! “If you think you can do it, then that’s half of the battle,” says freshman Casey Daniels.

We hope this was helpful in assisting your ability to keep your New Year’s resolution, or any goal for that matter! See you in 2021!