How to achieve your New Year’s resolutions?

Melinda Sanchez
Dec 10, 2024
2 min read

A new year arrives, bringing with it resolutions and good intentions: “This year I’ll join the gym, stop eating sweets, quit smoking, take English classes…” These resolutions are filled with positive energy because you genuinely want to achieve them and know they represent a favorable change in your life. But… do you find it hard to follow through on your goals?

January arrives, and suddenly, our “self-saboteur” appears. Somehow, all those good intentions turn into excuses—lack of time, money, etc.

How can we achieve what we set out to do?

Create a plan to bring your goal to life.For example, if my goal is to start going to the gym, I begin to make it more real:
- I evaluate gym options: near my home, my workplace, or where my friends go.
- I gather information about prices and the types of classes offered.
- I decide which gym I’ll join.
- I determine how many days a week I’ll go and which classes I’ll attend.
At this stage, it’s important to remember that change is naturally difficult for us. Starting slowly will make you more consistent than pushing yourself too hard on the first day and then feeling too reluctant to return. Begin with one or two days a week and choose classes that aren’t overly demanding.
Establish the habit.After three or four weeks of going to the gym, gradually increase the intensity. By then, you’ve built a routine—take advantage of it!
Celebrate your progress and be proud of your achievements.

The key to achieving your goals is working on them realistically and having a clear plan for how to accomplish them.

For instance, if you want to quit smoking or stop eating sweets, telling yourself you’ll never smoke or eat sweets again may cause more anxiety and make you crave them even more.

The more ambitious the goal, the more detailed your plan should be so you know exactly what steps to take, avoiding the feeling of being overwhelmed halfway through.