Achievable New Year Goals: How to Write Resolutions You Can Keep

With these quick and easy top tips, you can learn how to write achievable new year goals that mean you can keep your resolutions for life, not just January.

We're two weeks into January, and I don't know about you, but it's around this time that I normally start to slip up with my 'New Year’s Resolutions'. As hard as I try, I just can't keep up with the four-page-long list of life-changing tasks I set myself. For example, I say that I'm going to 'be healthy', 'be a better blogger', and 'get up at 6 am, meditate, do a work out, make my lunch from scratch, and save the planet every morning before work', and I wonder why I can't keep up!

Anyone relating?

Well, this year I've decided to change things up a bit. Instead of the strict 'resolutions' I would normally set, I've created a list of simple, achievable goals to aim for, and so far, so good! Yeah, we're only a few weeks in, but I'm still going strong, and I don't seem to be slipping any time soon. I think I've finally cracked it!

So, I thought I'd share a few tips on how to write achievable new year goals that you can actually maintain throughout the year, rather than resolutions that don't last past January.

(To check out my list of achievable goals, scroll to the end of this post!)

1. Be more specific

We’re all guilty of making those way-too-general goals. ‘Get fit’, ‘eat better’, and ‘read more’ are just some that spring to mind. These kinds of resolutions are ridiculously generic and much more difficult to uphold. Why make life harder for yourself? Instead, cut the bigger goals into smaller, more manageable ones. For example, instead of ‘read more’, change it to ‘read at least one book a month’. Suddenly, it seems more achievable, and it’s so much easier to maintain. Being more specific with your new year goals is good because if, say, in three months you’ve only read two books, you can re-evaluate your goal, and change it to something more realistic, like one book every two months. This will help you keep up with your goals and prevent you from beating yourself up for 'failing'.

2. Add dates to your new year goals

Leading on from the previous point, adding dates to your new year goals gives you something to aim for - but make sure they’re actually achievable! Don’t aim to gain 5,000 Instagram followers in a month if you know you normally get 500, for example. If you divide your goals into weeks or months, you won’t risk over-facing yourself, and you'll quickly find your resolutions become much more achievable.

3. Focus on the positives

Sometimes, when setting goals, it’s easy to think about all the negative things we want to change. ‘Stop being so lazy’, ‘don't eat so much’, and other negative phrases mean you focus on all the things you don’t want, rather than the things you do. This is a great way to make you feel terrible - plus it means you’re manifesting all that negativity! Instead, ensure you’re putting a positive spin on your goals. Focus on what you do want, rather than what you don’t, and you’ll be much more likely to succeed. Think, ‘Encourage productivity’ and ‘get all the nutrients my body needs to thrive’.

4. Be kind to yourself

If you’re like me and start to slip up with your new year goals, be kind to yourself. Instead of beating yourself up for failing, think about why you’re struggling. Was the goal achievable to begin with? Remember - resolutions don’t have to be so resolute! And contrary to popular belief, you are allowed to set goals at other times throughout the year. Set yourself a date a few months after you begin to reflect on your progress and make any necessary changes to ensure you can achieve your goals. Then, if you still don’t stick to your goals, you know there is a reason for it, and that reason isn’t because you’re rubbish!

Hopefully, these simple points will help you write new year goals that you can achieve, this time!

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If you haven't yet decided on your new year goals, or you’re struggling to keep them, why not check out my list for inspiration?

My New Year Goals:

1. Create routines that help me to use my time wisely, and try to follow them as much as possible

2. Exercise at least once a week to boost my mental and physical health

3. Have a self-care day or night at least once a month

4. Plan time to sort out the spare room – work on it on weekends for next month

5. Work on my writing – create a blogging calendar and do some research on writing for magazines (in the evenings)

6. Repeat affirmations as often as I need to improve my confidence

7. Go to the library more and try to read one book a month