Research suggests only around 12% of British adults successfully kept their resolutions last year! Loss of motivation and lack of commitment are considered to be the most common reasons for giving up and not achieving New Year goals, but we reckon it also has something to do with setting the bar far too high.
If you’re good at setting resolutions – but not so great at keeping them – we have 5 simple alternatives to help you make a difference to your happiness in 2016, whatever your motivation levels.
1) A Simple Act of Kindness Every Week
“Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.” – Henry James
When was the last time you made a conscious effort to be kind to someone? Kindness comes in all shapes and forms, and can be as simple as holding a door open for a passer-by, or as significant as making a massive charity donation. This year, we challenge you to carry out a simple act of kindness every week – an activity or gesture that makes a real difference to the other person and makes you feel good too. The benefits of kindness can go a long way, and remember: karma is beautiful.
2) Set a New Goal Each Month
“A goal properly set is halfway reached.” – Zig Ziglar
Upon reflection, starting a new year in January seems rather odd. It’s one of the coldest, gloomiest and most miserable months of the year, which could be why so many of us fail to reach February with our resolutions still intact. This is why we recommend you setting a new goal every month in 2016, rather than planning loads at the beginning of the year when motivation is low. Write your monthly goal down on a piece of paper and stick it to the fridge or your mirror so you have a constant reminder every day.
3) De-Clutter Your Kitchen
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” – William Morris
The kitchen is at the heart of the home, and whether you’re a keen cook or not, it’s very likely you’ll spend a great deal of time in yours. Often the hustle and bustle of Christmas can leave our kitchen space cluttered, messy, and piled high with festive-themed foods and products. This is absolutely no good if you want a fresh start to the year! So when you get a chance, give your kitchen a good clear out. Store away any Christmas bits you can use next year, bin any out-of-date goods and give that dirty hob a jolly good scrub. A clutter-free kitchen is the key to a clutter-free mind.
4) Prioritise Healthy Foods During Your Weekly Shop
“The greatest wealth is health” – Virgil
In the UK, 63% of those who set New Years’ resolutions aim to get fitter and healthier. Unfortunately, as we mentioned above, the outcome is rarely as we envisage at the start of the year, and our fear of the gym and temptation for our favourite foods can lead us astray.
One way to tackle this is to make a simple change each week to your weekly food shop. Prepare a list and note down at least 6 healthy things you can include in your family meals and daily diet to ensure you get your 5-a-day. This could be a bag of apples, carrot batons, a carton of V8 Original juice, seeds, nuts or fresh herbs – anything that will help you be a little bit healthier on a day-to-day basis. Your mind and body will thank you for this small, but significant, change.
5) Prepare Your Piggy Bank
“The art is not in making money, but in keeping it.” – Proverb
One way to truly feel the impact of the post-Christmas blues is to check your bank account. In the New Year, many of us will want to review our finances and make more of an effort to improve spending habits and save more. Unsurprisingly, this is another resolution we struggle keep, so the perfect solution is to get a piggy bank and save a little bit every day in the form leftover change. Just 50p a day can total £14 in a month, which will take you to £170 in just one year! Perfect for spending on Christmas presents without breaking the bank – again!
Do you have any simple New Year’s resolutions that are easy to keep and won’t sap your motivation? Feel free to share it with us on our Facebook page with the hashtag #Activ8life.
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