Sticking to Your New Year's Resolutions:

Congratulations on conquering the first month of the year and staying committed to your New Year’s goals! This is just the beginning of your journey towards self-improvement and personal growth. Stay focused on your goals, break them down into smaller steps, and celebrate each milestone along the way.  

Remember, change takes time and effort, but with determination, resilience, and the right strategies, you can overcome obstacles and turn your resolutions into lasting positive habits.  

Reflect on Your Progress

As you finish the first month of your resolutions, take time to reflect on your achievements. Celebrate the small victories and acknowledge the progress you have made. By recognizing your accomplishments, you not only boost your confidence but also reinforce the belief that you can achieve your long-term goals. 

Refine Your Goals & Break Them Down

After the initial enthusiasm fades, it’s important to revisit your resolutions and ensure they align with your current circumstances and aspirations. Reflect on whether your goals are still relevant and meaningful to you. If necessary, refine them, adjust the timelines, and break them down into manageable steps to make them more achievable. Focusing on one milestone at a time will resolve the feeling of being overwhelmed by the magnitude of your goals, while simultaneously providing a sense of progress and achievement along the way. Flexibility is key when it comes to goal setting. 

Find an Accountability Partner

Share your resolutions with a trusted friend, family member, or colleague who can provide support, encouragement, and help you stay on track. Regular check-ins and sharing progress updates can significantly increase your commitment and determination to stick with your resolutions. At CSI Companies, we put team members who are working toward similar goals in a group message together. Colleagues can motivate and keep each other accountable, while also having a safe space to ask for guidance or recommendations. If a group message is not preferred, team members always have a friend in our Director of Corporate Wellness, Rachael Murphy.   

Embrace Consistency, Not Perfection

It’s essential to adopt a mindset of consistency rather than striving for perfection. Understand that setbacks and slip-ups are a natural part of the journey. Instead of giving up when you stumble, learn from the experience and get back on track. Remember, the key is to maintain a consistent effort towards your goals, even if progress is not always linear. 

“I always recommend Atomic Habits for anyone struggling to stick to a resolution or goal. The book will open your eyes to the power of consistency and 1% improvements,” 

—Rachael Murphy, Director of Corporate Wellness at CSI Companies.  

Reward Yourself

Rewards play an essential role in the formation of habits, but not all rewards work for all people. Breaking down your Habit Loop to identify which rewards stick is critical. Murphy finds tangible rewards work best for her and are typically more exciting. However, it is important to recognize intangible rewards as well. The rush of endorphins and the feeling of accomplishment after a workout is a perfect example. If you are striving toward physical fitness goals, buying a new workout outfit to treat yourself to the progress you’ve made can also motivate you to keep the momentum going! 

Remember that lasting change requires persistence and dedication. Celebrate your progress, stay motivated, and keep pushing forward, knowing that each small step brings you closer to the fulfilling life you envisioned at the beginning of the year. Believe in yourself and your ability to achieve what you set out to do. You have the power to make this year your best year yet! 

“Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement” -James Clear, author of Atomic Habits