2022 is finally here, and we’re all looking forward to changing for the better. New year resolutions are a great place to start!

New year resolutions are great in theory but can sometimes fall flat when we try to put them to practice. I mean, how many times have you woken up in mid-January and decided it was far too cold to hit the gym?

In fact, one study found that only 19% of people keep up their new year resolutions all year! There’s even a day called Quitter’s Day when most people ditch their resolution for good. 

But you’re not like everyone else. You have what it takes to create healthy habits and make change that lasts. At SportPort, we’re here to help you get there!

Read on to learn four tips to help you stick to your new year resolution all year ‘round!

Write Down Your Why

Writing down your reason for setting a new year resolution will help you stick with it.

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they set a new year resolution is not understanding their ‘why.’ 

Keeping your ‘why’ front and center will help you push forward even in the moments when you’d rather throw in the towel. The best way to stay inspired is to understand why you want to make the change in the first place.

For example, instead of writing down “I want to get out of debt this year,” try writing down “I want to get out of debt this year so that I can…” This will help you visualize how making this change will improve your life.

Create SMART Goals

To set a goal for yourself, you need to get specific about what you want to achieve.

If you’ve ever said, “this is the year I’m going to get in shape,” this tip is for you!

Many people tend to set vague resolutions at the start of the year like “get in shape” or “learn to play an instrument,” but they end up disappointed when they don’t achieve as much as they thought they would. That’s because they haven’t defined what success looks like!

The best way to make your resolution is use the SMART method! This means that your resolution is:  

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-bound

 So, what does a SMART goal look like? Here’s a great example:

Not SMART goal: I want to get in shape.

SMART goal: I want to be able to run 5 miles in one hour by this time next year.

Keep Track of Your Progress

Keep track of your progress and check it occasionally to see how far you’ve come.

How do you know if you’re making progress toward your new year resolution goal? You keep track of your progress, obviously!

Keeping track of your progress allows you to know how far you’ve come and how much further you must go to reach your goal. It’s always nice to have a visual representation – whether it’s before and after pics or a simple list – of how much progress you’ve made.

When you track your progress, you will understand where the “sticking points” are in your journey. This can help you identify patterns and make adjustments to help you succeed!

 Learn From Your Mistakes

You will learn so much through this process, especially from your mistakes.

Implementing a new habit is not easy. But you shouldn’t be discouraged if you fall off the resolution wagon every now and again. Learn from your mistakes instead!

Obstacles are part of the journey. When you slip up, give yourself grace and see what you can learn from the experience. You’ll know how to handle it better the next time!

Everyone has a different strategy when it comes to achieving your new year resolution goals. Let us know in the comments your best tip for sticking to your new year resolution!