If, in January, you were in a ready-set-goal mentality, but now find yourself reverting back to old habits, welcome to the club. According to a study at the University of Scranton, a mere eight percent of people keep their New Year's resolutions.
Still, who says you can only resolve to be better in January? We think that's pretty limiting which is why we're calling for a reboot. If you're ready to rock the rest of the year, read on. Here are five ways to go for the goal and make your life the best it can be.
Get clear. It's time to stop sit down and really think about what you want out of your life. Are you dreaming of going back to school year-after-year and putting it off? Are you procrastinating your way out of a corner office or denying your heavy urge to be a parent because you have not met the right person yet? Spend the next week tuning into yourself and paying close attention to what really matters most to you and what you're prioritizing. Once you have a clear picture of what you really want (not what you say you want to avoid judgement or tell yourself you want to avoid the negative feelings that come with not having it) you're at a solid starting point.
Find freedom in accountability. This step is going to be tough. There will be no more talking about how unhappy you are without asking what you can do about it. This goes for both internal and external conversations. Sitting around complaining isn't productive, and worse, it reinforces the idea that you're stuck with nowhere to go. It's also time to stop to stop blaming others for your setbacks and lack of progress and disappointments. Here's an unavoidable life fact: you cannot change something you do not control. This includes your life.When you accept that you--and only you--are in control of your decisions, actions and inaction, you can begin the work of becoming
Find your tribe. It has been said that we become like the five people we spend time with. Whether or not that is true, there is no denying that surrounding ourselves with positive, active, healthy, successful people will offer us a lot more access to knowledge and joy than moping around with a bunch of lazy, defeated and uninspired so-and-so's. Look around you and see where your mentors and role models are. Set up coffee or cocktails with friends who have wisdom to share and start asking for advice in areas where you truly need to grow.
Expect more from yourself. Living to a higher standard isn't only about setting boundaries with others and enjoying the finest foods and cocktails, it's about pushing yourself to be the best you--to you. If you want to hit museums and see more of the city and you're sleeping in until noon (even on weekends) or you want to start your own business but canceling crucial appointments, you're sabotaging yourself. It's time to look at your habits and behaviors and ask, "If this were someone else behaving this way when they have stated they want to be an all-star, how would I see them?"
Just start already. We live in a busy world with loads of opportunities and responsibilities which means there is never a perfect time to do anything. If you want to do something in your life, you have to take the first step. Whether it's signing up for music classes, filling out the application for the overseas visa or downloading the recipe and sending invitations for your first-ever dinner party, just do it. It may not turn out the way you want it to initially. You may be uncomfortable. You may even "fail" but this is all a part of the process. As tennis great, Andre Agassi once said, "If you don't practice, you don't deserve to win."