Christmas is over, the mince pies have been eaten and, like every tradition this time of year, the gym is jammed full of eager people who will be doing well if they are still turning up in February.

New year resolutions can vary massively, but they’re a great way to be proactive about achieving something that will have a positive impact on your life. Whatever your goal, it’s important that you set it when you’re ready – and if that’s not on 1 January, then that’s OK.

I’m not here to tell you to wait until you’re feeling fully confident (that may never happen). But the Christmas period is a time for celebration, so don’t beat yourself up because you were still enjoying the last slice of trifle on the bank holiday Monday instead of starting a new diet. Pushing yourself in this way may cause your goal to flop in the long run.

If you feel like you’ve not started the year on the right foot, it’s not too late to get that fresh start feeling now. Here are a few tips.

1. It’s great to think big, but start small

You might be excited to have a clean slate, and that’s great, but don’t bite off more than you can chew.

Start off by making it measurable. For example, if your end goal is improving your fitness, don’t commit yourself to five times a week – start slowly and consistently, and build from there.

Having a clear target to aim for makes it more tangible, so setting out a plan to get there in steps can help you avoid discouragement along the way.

2. Be realistic

When setting out a goal, set it according to your lifestyle and be honest with yourself about what you will be able to achieve. Consider what resources and time you have in order to maintain a balance with the current elements of your lifestyle that make you happy.

Remember, most of us will never have the time, money, or ability to climb Mount Everest, but that’s not to say you can’t be proud of climbing Snowdon.

3. Plan for hurdles, so you don’t trip up

You’ll always encounter temptations, and these might affect your resolution.

Maybe you get invited to an event that could blow your budget or your diet? Or, perhaps an exciting new project will arise at work, leaving you with fewer hours to dedicate to meeting your goal?

Consider this when setting your resolution, so you can plan for how these challenges will fit in with your new lifestyle.

4. Give yourself a pat on the back from time to time

It’s great to track your progress in an app, calendar, journal, or graph. This might seem a bit trivial at first, but looking back at the steps you’ve taken can remind you have far you’ve come.

Seeing this can help you stay on track when it feels as though you’re not improving (which is common). Celebrate these checkpoints, you’re doing great!

5. Stay positive

Tackling a new goal head-on can often feel daunting. But try not to let this affect you negatively, and remind yourself of the positive impact it will have on your life.

Remember, it won’t always be a straight and easy path to success either. Sometimes there will be setbacks. It’s difficult not to let bad days affect you, but instead of letting this be your focus, take pride in getting past them.

You’ve got this!

Research suggests that it takes more than two months for a new activity to become a habit and six months for it to become part of your personality. It won’t happen overnight, so don’t expect it to. You never know, this could be your year!

While we can’t help you stick to your resolution, we can help you to market your business and to attract more of the clients you want.

Get in touch to find out how. Email hi@theyardstickagency.co.uk or call 0115 8965 300.