How to Keep Those 2024 New Year’s Resolutions

It’s nearing the time of year when there’s a high chance you’ll be asked, “So, what are your 2023 New Year’s resolutions?” Gyms may be more crowded, lines at Sweetgreen may be longer, and you might have more pep in your step to take on the new year. 

Many people enter the new year with resolutions focused on health and wellness. Maybe you’re trying out the same goals you’ve set in the past or stepping out of your comfort zone. Whether you are a fan of resolutions or not, we at Mira have compiled a list of ways to help keep you on track to navigating the best ways to reach your goals at any time of the year. 

Set Realistic Goals 

It’s common to set ambitious resolutions that sometimes seem out of reach. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that only 46% of people who made New Year’s resolutions were successful. This means half the population failed to achieve the resolutions they set, some of which may be similar to yours. 

So, why the difference? It’s important to have methods in place to help you reach your goals. While thinking about your goals, take some time to self-reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. Consider trends you’ve noticed throughout your life or habits that are harder to break. Leaders of goals-setting theory, Edward Locke and Gary Latham (1990), express the relationship between how setting goals helps us improve our behavior, mobilize our energy, and increase our personal and professional efforts.

Align your goals into SMART objectives: Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, and Timely. 

The Most Popular 2024 Resolutions

Living healthier (23%), personal improvement and happiness (21%), and losing weight (20%) were the top 2022 resolutions. In 2023, prioritize mindset over numbers on a scale and move at your own pace when navigating your goals. Focus on positive reinforcements to shape your perspective. This can include methods such as boundary setting, self-acceptance, and breaks to ensure you take the necessary steps to clear your mindset and establish your goals most effectively. 

Have an Accountability Buddy 

An accountability system can strengthen both your relationships and personal goals. Sharing resolutions with your friends and family is a great way to navigate your growth throughout the seasons with insight from those who care about you. 

Start by setting up an effective system to help you and a friend visualize your goals. Use tools such as google docs to create a shared list of your goals and the habits you are cultivating to achieve them. Have your buddy do the same, and leave comments along the way for written accountability. 

Set time aside in your calendar to spend time with your accountability partner to add a new activity to your routine. Some activity ideas that are enjoyable to share with a friend are taking fitness classes, sharing recipes, and picking up new hobbies you’re both interested in.  

Visualize Your Plans

We all have a running mental list of things to do. Consider writing out a timeline for yourself that’ll help you pinpoint accomplishments throughout your journey. Bullet journals, mood boards, and mobile apps like Notion and Google Calendar are great tools to get that mental list out of your head and onto the screen. 

Try this bullet journal template out!