I was able to keep all my resolutions last year. This is my approach
According to a study, only 16% of people reported that they retained the previous year's resolution. This is a way to avoid adding percentages.
I was able to keep all my resolutions last year. This is my approach
When my editor asked me if I had made and retained the 2021 resolution, it gave me some reflection. Looking back over the past 11 months, I am very satisfied with the way I invested my time, including participating in my first official 5K competition and volunteering as a consultant in the foster children’s camp. I am also very satisfied with the progress I have made on the resolution. (Sometimes you are so focused on advancing things that you need to stop and observe the scenery and realize how far you have gone.)
I replied: "Yes! I am happy to share with you how I will hold on to my determination in 2021."
But if you, like most Americans, are not inclined to make or insist on resolutions, first of all, there is no judgment. I have an unfair advantage because in my job as a time management coach, I think about how to help people use their time effectively every working day. High yield is my jam. Secondly, you are on the verge of a new year, so there is always a chance to start again.
This is how I keep my New Year's resolutions, and so can you.
Set my intention
Since 2020 is such a turbulent year, I know that I need to have a positive attitude to spend 2021 in a forward-looking way. I usually have a subject heading every year. But in 2021, I collected some additional well-meaning phrases: fearless hope, unfiltered joy, perfect peace.
At the beginning of each day, I wrote these words at the top of the daily plan to remind people to resist any negative emotions. None of us can control everything that happens in the world, but we can all choose to take positive actions every day and decide how to guide our thoughts.
Create a resolution
Then according to my determination, I chose some big projects that are very important to me, which require conscious thinking and hard work to complete. Those are:
Health: Decide and treat gum problems appropriately
Volunteer Service: Complete my permission to become an adoptive parent
Business: Refresh my website to update images and text
Money: Take time to make financial planning and decide on investment strategies
At the beginning of this year, I knew that these projects would be my focus. In the process, I did add other items, such as buying a car and volunteering for a friend’s city council campaign. But since January, I still try to make these four resolutions the main resolutions.
Focus on every month
The next step in my process is to break down my resolutions into tasks that I can complete each month. Although I do a weekly plan in Google Calendar, I find that when I use the paper planner, the monthly plan is more effective for me because it makes me take my decisions more seriously. In previous years, I sometimes carried out monthly plans electronically. On the computer, it is easier to transfer long-term projects every week without realizing that there is no progress throughout the month. It will sting even more when you have to rewrite everything.
In 2021, I choose to use the planner. Why it works well for me, because at the beginning of each month, there is a page where you can write down different categories of goals, such as "health" or "finance", a ribbon to mark your position, and many more Notes and thoughts are at the back of the page. I also found this book very beautiful, which made me want to interact with it.
I adjust my resolution progress based on how much I do each month. In my monthly plan, I also try to break down my resolution into smaller parts.
For example, January is the busiest month of the year for me because people make time management decisions. Therefore, in terms of my own January resolution, my focus is to complete my foster care permit and retirement plan for 2021. I listed these in my schedule and wrote down smaller steps under these goals. A few months later, in March, the enthusiasm at the beginning of the year started to slow down, so I increased how much progress I could make on my resolutions in my monthly plan. That month, my goals were to consult with potential healthcare providers, meet with financial planners, and find people who would help me edit the website.
At the beginning of each new moon, I will evaluate the progress of the past 30 days and decide on the next step. One thing that I think is really helpful to stick to my determination is not to expect too much at any time. For example, after arranging my health consultation in March, I decided that my goal for April was to decide my direction and book my appointment in May.
Translate into weekly
On Monday morning, I make my weekly plan. As part of the 2021 process, I checked the opening hours in the schedule and checked my monthly goals to understand what to do this week. Once I have selected these items, I will put them in my calendar, such as taking time on Saturday afternoon to see gum treatment options, or on Thursday night to see if there are any new options in my retirement account .
Clearly define what I will do and when to help me make my resolution a priority.
Complete each goal
Then day after day, I did what I planned on the calendar. Sometimes, I choose to divert my attention away from the progress of the planned decisions. But in most cases, I did persevere and made great strides in what I decided to do: I completed my foster care permit. I successfully completed my gum treatment and have been doing all my follow-up care. I knew what support I needed from financial professionals, took a personal finance course, and formulated some new strategies to best manage my assets. As for the website, I am still working on it. I did make progress, but I ended up participating in many trainings this summer. I invested a lot of time and energy in these projects, which will become an integral part of my website. They are not yet fully completed, but I do plan to complete them before the end of 2021.
All in all, I am very satisfied with my determination. My process is not complicated, but it is intentional. It made me feel very satisfied with how I invested my time at the end of the year. I hope these tips can help you achieve greater success in your 2022 determination.
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