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Five Tips to Turn Resolutions into Real Change

By Loni Francis, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Director, Nursing
Loni Francis, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Director, Nursing
Loni Francis, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Director, Nursing

A new calendar year is a fresh start full of endless possibilities. As you prepare and set new intentions, it’s important to reflect on the past year to learn from your experiences.

Creating a new habit will take determination and effort because our bodies are naturally resistant to behavioral changes. To be successful, focus on only one goal at a time and follow the “SMART” system, which stands for specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and timed.

Here are a few additional tips to help you on your journey.

 

Five Tips for Real Change

  1. Identify your “why.” Set a goal that’s personal to you. Having a “why” that is important will give you direction and increase the chance of success.
  2. Write it down. It is proven that writing down a goal makes it more achievable. A Forbes Neuroscience study suggests less than 20% of people write out their goal. When we write something down, our brain decodes the goal and stores it to memory, which improves our understanding by exercising our brain. According to a Psychology study by Michigan State, people who write down their goals are 33% more successful in achieving them.
  3. Make a plan. After you decide on your goal, take time to develop a detailed plan to make it seem more manageable and hold yourself accountable. It helps if you put important dates in your calendar, set reminders in your phone, or use a timer to help you stay consistent. If you prefer visual representation, create a vision board.
  4. Find an accountability partner. Finding a friend or family member who has a similar goal can help you stay motivated and provide additional support. This person can hold you accountable and celebrate your victories. I also recommend sharing your goals with those that live in your house so they can help create a more conducive environment.
  5. Track your progress and develop a rewards system. Tracking your goals allows you to see the effort you are putting in and can help you stay motivated. No matter your goal, there are apps that make it easy to monitor your progress. Many even have in-app recognitions or rewards. I encourage you to include rewards along the way because celebrating small victories can lead to big change.

Achieving your goal can improve your mental and physical health and create the desire to accomplish another. Research shows that completing a task releases dopamine, the body’s feel-good hormones, responsible for feelings of positivity, motivation, and pleasure. These hormones elevate your mood and encourage you to keep going. I wish you success with whatever goal you decide to pursue and if you experience a setback along the way, keep going!