New Year’s resolutions are a widespread tradition that many people take part in. Starting the new year with some set goals makes a lot of sense, and should be a positive thing. However, so often they become chores that hang over us and make us feel guilty if we don’t meet them. To try to avoid this, here are some ideas to help turn this tradition back into a positive concept.
Think About Goals Relating to Personal Development
So often people’s goals are just self-criticisms in disguise. Instead of thinking about perceived flaws that you want to change, try thinking about areas in your life that you would like to work on as part of your personal development. For example, you might decide that reading one book per month will help you learn more, or that doing more activities solo will build your confidence.
Try Not to Set Specific Figures
Having rigid figures might feel like an efficient way to achieve goals. However, it’s also likely to lead to those feelings of guilt and despondency if these figures you’ve set aren’t reached. Instead, try to think about things you can start doing that will gradually make a difference over time, and that will help you learn more about yourself along the way.