How to keep your New Year’s resolutions

We all make New Year’s resolutions, but how many of us actually stick to them? If your January motivation is beginning to lag already, we can help. Having consulted experts in love, life and happiness, we’ve uncovered eight simple tips and tricks that will transform your vague hopes into solid success. Read on to make 2018 your year.

1. “Start small” – Susan Weinschenk, behavioral psychologist

When it comes to life-changing resolutions, reduce your goal down to small and achievable actions, advises behavioral psychologist, Susan Weinschenk:

“ ‘Get more exercise’ is not small. ‘Eat healthier’ is not small. This is a big reason why New Year’s resolutions don’t work. If it’s a habit and you want a new one it MUST be something really small. For example, instead of ‘Get more exercise’ choose ‘Walk 1/3 more than I usually do’ or ‘Take the stairs each morning to get to my office, not the elevator,’ or ‘Have a smoothie every morning with kale in it.’ ”

Psychologist, Lynn Bufka, agrees: “Setting small, attainable goals throughout the year, instead of a singular, overwhelming goal on January 1 can help you reach whatever it is you strive for.”

2. “Write it down” – Richard Branson, entrepreneur

Serial entrepreneur and billionaire, Richard Branson, has been writing down his resolutions since he was a boy. And here’s why:

“The simple act of writing down your resolution will make it far more likely to stick. If you let other people know, that can help too. But ultimately your resolution is for you – a positive change you are determined to make...”

3. “Work out your WHY” – Tony Robbins, life coach

Life coach, Tony Robbins, believes you can only stick to a resolution if you really understand why you’re making it:

“What most people call ‘resolutions’ are really just desires or fun things they wish would happen. The majority of people aren't actually resolving anything within themselves. If you want to be a part of the few that do versus the many that talk, you need to be crystal clear – what specific result will you accomplish? What’s your WHY (reasons come first, answers come second)?”

4. “Keep track of progress” – Gretchen Rubin, happiness expert

Happiness Project author, Gretchen Rubin, has made a career of studying human nature. Her top tip is to use apps, a diary or a chart to track your success. “People who monitor behaviour tend to do a better job, even if they’re not actively trying to change,” she explains.

Whatever your resolution, there’s bound to be an app that will support and motivate you. Enable notifications for daily reminders and pep talks delivered straight to your phone.

5. “Tell people” – Richard Wiseman, psychologist

Discuss your goals with friends and family, says psychologist Richard Wiseman. Women, in particular, are more likely to see their resolutions through if they share them with other people, according to Wiseman’s research.

6. “Team up” – Martha Beck, life coach

Sociologist and life coach, Martha Beck, advocates finding a group of people to support you in your resolutions: “Research shows that humans tend to do difficult things much better in teams and groups than on their own.”

But don’t pick your best friends for the task. Those closest to you are likely to resemble you and share your weak spots. Beck believes “the key to success is teaming up with people who are emphatically not on your wavelength”.

7. “Forgive yourself if you fail” – Dr Marcelo Campos, lecturer

Don’t throw in the towel after one missed gym session or a momentary lapse to your no-chocolate rule. Treat setbacks as a blip, advises Dr Marcelo Campos, lecturer at Harvard Medical School:

“Setbacks are to be expected and are part of the learning process. Forgive yourself and reflect on what happened. Think through the barriers to achieving your goal and try again.”

8. “Be open to change” – Meghan Markle, actress & duchess

We could all learn a resolution lesson from the Duchess of Sussex. Meghan Markle used to make the same resolutions every year: “Stop biting my nails. Stop swearing. Re-learn French.” And every year, she would fail at all three. Her fortunes changed when she resolved to be more open to new possibilities. Back in 2016, Meghan wrote:

"My New Year’s resolution is to leave room for magic. To make my plans, and be okay if they sometimes break. To set my goals, but to be open to change.”

Six months later the American actress met Prince Harry, they fell in-love and she's since joined the British Royal Family. Pretty magical, huh?

Head over to our Facebook page to tell us all about your resolutions. Whatever you want to achieve this year, we wish you all the best for 2018.