Thinking back, how many of you achieved your New Year’s goals? At what point did you fall off? One month? One week? One day? One source has reported that 80% of people give up on their goals within the second week.
New Year’s goals tend to be unrealistic. Things like work out every day, lose 10 pounds in one month, go vegan, or giving up vices. All these goals would require drastic life changes. When goals are not reached people are discouraged and give up.
Instead of making such specific goals what if you made ones that are accomplished in steps? Using that strategy, we put together examples of a realistic and achievable New Year’s goals for every year .
10 Realistic New Year’s Goals for the Year
Start with small goals that are easily measurable. Use this list to find something that inspires you.
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Try one new healthy recipe each week. Trying one recipe each week is realistic whereas simply having the goal of “Cooking Healthy”.
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Try one new type or style of fitness each week or each month. Instead of having a goal such as “Work out every day”, trying something new each week is totally achievable and is a fun way to explore new things. A few suggestions:
- Vinyasa Yoga
- Running
- Walking
- Mat Pilates
- High Intensity Interval Training
- Bar
- Strength
- Spin
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Drink one additional glass of water per day. An easy way to do this is simply drinking a glass of water each morning when you first wake up. Drink the water even before you have coffee. Once you get used to this habit you won’t even have to think about it.
- Working out 30 minutes 5 days per day working out daily as a goal is measurable and realistic. As you get into a new habit adding additional workout time gets easier.
- Take the dog for walk almost daily. This is an excellent goal. The best part of the day for your dog is when you take them on a walk. Plus, your dog will remind you that he or she needs to go for a walk. This could be the best part of the day for both of you.
- Go to bed by 9:00 pm on work nights. Getting 8 hours a sleep, a night is a common goal yet very difficult to achieve because we often must rise early. Realistically though you could get to bed by 9:00 pm most nights and accomplish this goal.
- Read one new book each month. If reading isn’t your thing but still want to broaden your knowledge try audiobooks.
- Instead of a goal such as quit drinking wine try limiting alcohol consumption to weekends only. Limiting alcohol to weekends only allows you to still enjoy a drink and yet get the health benefits of not drinking during the week.
- Spend less money. To make this goal realistic set a dollar amount. If you want to cut your monthly bills by $100 maybe that means eliminating cable TV or getting a less expensive gym membership.
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Save money. This is different than spending less money. Save a percentage of your monthly income to apply towards a down payment on house, wedding, college, or retirement.
These New Year’s Goals are examples. Use these as inspiration to create your own New Year’s resolutions. Whatever your personal New Year’s Goals are simply adjust them to make them measurable, achievable, and realistic. Be sure to write your goals down.
