Hey there, Resolution Revolutionaries!

As the new year approaches, we reflect on areas we hope to improve and grow. While New Year's resolutions often start with great enthusiasm, they can quickly lose momentum. However, we can approach resolutions with a new mindset and focus on achieving tangible results. These are my tips for anyone looking to keep their momentum going in the new year!

Dream Big and Start Small:

Pursuing grand visions transcends mere pastime—it's a catalyst for meaningful change. Our most ambitious goals find their roots in the vast expanse of our imagination, a space where the future can exceed the bounds of our current reality. Let's explore boundless opportunities and chart a strategic course towards our ambitions.

This year, I took time to think about what I wanted my life to look like long after graduating college instead of arbitrarily making my resolutions. I wanted to have time to explore my hobbies, speak multiple languages, and live an active lifestyle. I imagined the most idealized version of myself possible, and once I did, I made my yearly goals–with a twist. Instead of giving myself a year to accomplish them, I gave myself three months. The Twelve Week Year has been widely replicated by many people looking to take their goals to the finish line, and once I read the book by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington, I did the same! Although I did not achieve everything I set out to do and wasn't consistent every day, I achieved much more in 12 weeks than in the previous 12 months. If you’re also struggling to stay consistent for a seemingly long period, try implementing it yourself!

By dreaming without constraints, we unlock a wellspring of motivation and innovation, rendering the once unattainable within reach. However, the key to tangible progress lies in setting smaller, achievable goals. These steps deconstruct the journey, making our grand visions more accessible. By translating our dreams into actionable plans, we move from abstract aspirations to concrete achievements, ensuring our goals evolve from thoughts into reality.

Visualize Goals Daily

Visualization is a powerful tool that can help you turn your dreams into reality. By closing your eyes and picturing yourself achieving your goals, you can tap into the power of your subconscious mind and start to make things happen. But visualization is not just about seeing things in your mind's eye. It's also about using visual cues to keep your aspirations front and center in your consciousness.

One way to visualize is through creating a vision board! A vision board is collages of images and words representing your goals and desires. You can create your vision board on a poster board, a corkboard, or online. To make a vision board, gather images and words that inspire you and arrange them meaningfully and powerfully. I planned a vision board party with a few of my closest friends in December last year. We spent hours cutting out pictures and words from magazines, and then we arranged them on our vision boards. We talked about our goals and aspirations for the coming year as we worked. We shared why we wanted to visit a city, strengthen a habit, or start a new hobby. This made us mentally resolved to accomplish those things and gave us a group of people to hold each other accountable.

Once we finished our vision boards, I propped mine up on my desk to see it every time I sat down to work. Looking at my vision board daily reminded me of all the promises I made to myself and gave me a sense of purpose when I struggled to be consistent with my daily routine. Try collecting some magazines, scissors, and a corkboard, and let your dreams take shape!

Stay Flexible

Life has a way of throwing unexpected twists and turns our way, often derailing the best-laid plans. Some weeks are packed with exams, assignments, and deadlines; others might be very relaxed. It's important to understand that these fluctuations are a natural part of our existence. Embracing the ebb and flow of change involves staying adaptable and open to revising our goals or methods when necessary.

One of my goals was to walk 15k steps every day. I knew this would be a challenge on some days, like the weekends when I’d spend the entire day at home if I didn’t make any plans with my friends or family. So, I intentionally made plans to walk around campus with a friend or schedule a workout class at the campus gym. This worked out great for the first few weeks when my friends and I were caught up in the spirit of the new year and were extra motivated to hit our daily goals. However, as the weeks went by, we occasionally had to cancel plans because we had other commitments, needed to grind out some schoolwork, or just wanted a day to be lazy and catch up on our favorite reality TV shows. Instead of feeling anxious about not meeting a particular metric, I gave myself grace because my goal was to consistently apply my effort, not through short, intense bursts of energy that made me want to quit. Remember, every step forward, no matter how small a victory is in its own right.

And there you have it, folks – the best guiding principles to crushing your New Year's resolutions like a boss. Remember, it's not about the destination but the journey of self- discovery and growth. So, go forth and conquer those goals with gusto! Keep striving, keep thriving, and keep being your amazing selves!

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started!