It’s a New Year, and for nurses, it’s the perfect time to face the future with confidence and commitment. Winning that dream promotion, improving your physical and mental health, fostering creativity, or spending more quality time with loved ones—all these goals are within your reach when you set clear, purposeful resolutions.
New Year’s resolutions are a great way to set the tone for the year ahead, but choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. To help you succeed, we’ve compiled expert-backed tips and a step-by-step guide for making resolutions that are realistic, actionable, and meaningful. Plus, discover the top resolutions people make and how to achieve them. Let’s dive in!
Before even beginning to set New Year’s resolutions, people often make two frequent missteps. First, they focus on what they feel they should do rather than what they genuinely want to accomplish. Second, they concentrate on what they think they should give up instead of identifying goals they aspire to achieve.
To create lasting change, genuine desire is key. If you don’t take the time to reflect on what truly matters to you, you might end up committing to a resolution that doesn’t align with your true motivations.
A common scenario involves the desire to achieve a better work-life balance. A nurse who frequently picks up extra shifts might initially think about stopping a specific behavior, such as “working overtime.” A more effective approach, however, would be to frame the goal positively. For example, they could resolve to schedule one day each month for a self-care activity, such as a spa day or a hiking trip. This tangible commitment makes the goal actionable and provides a reward system to reinforce their progress.
Finally, consider a nurse with aspirations for leadership. Instead of vaguely aiming to “take on more responsibility at work,” they could resolve to mentor a junior colleague or lead a quality improvement project in their department. By setting clear and measurable objectives, such as organizing three mentoring sessions or presenting the results of a project to their team, they can create a pathway toward achieving their leadership goals while maintaining motivation and direction.
Quick Tips for Picking Realistic New Year’s Resolutions
- List out any new changes you’d like to make in your life.
- Prioritize 1-2 changes that matter most to you.
- Choose specific and measurable goals to track progress.
- Be honest about your capabilities and make your resolutions achievable.
- Break larger goals into smaller, manageable steps.
Step-by-Step: How to Choose and Achieve Your Resolutions
Step 1: Brainstorm Life Changes You’d Love to Make
Start by writing down ideas for changes you’d like to see in your life. Don’t worry about feasibility at this stage—just let the ideas flow. Consider creating a mindmap with “New Year’s Resolutions” at the center and jotting down related goals.
- Set a timer for 15 minutes to keep the brainstorming focused.
- Write a heading like “Ideas for New Year’s Resolutions” to stay on track.
Step 2: Commit to 1-2 High-Priority Goals
Once you have your list, rank your ideas based on importance. Sort them into categories like “most important,” “important,” and “least important.” Focus on the top 1-2 goals in your “most important” category.
- Write them down to make them more tangible.
- Share your resolutions with a trusted friend or family member for accountability.
Step 3: Keep Goals Challenging but Realistic
Set goals that stretch you without overwhelming you. Be honest about your current schedule, commitments, and abilities. For example:
- Instead of committing to daily workouts if you’re currently inactive, aim for 3-4 days per week.
- If you’ve failed a resolution before, analyze why and adjust it to make it more achievable.
Step 4: Align Goals with Your Interests and Values
Life coach Sydney Axelrod suggests clarifying the “why” behind your goals. Pick resolutions that resonate with your passions or help you grow as a person.
- Ask yourself: What inspires you? What aligns with your values?
- Choose resolutions that contribute to personal growth or a positive impact on the world.
Step 5: Be Specific and Action-Oriented
Vague resolutions like “save more money” or “lose weight” can be difficult to achieve. Use specific, measurable language to define your goals. For example:
- Replace “Lose weight” with “Lose an average of 1 pound per week.”
- Ask yourself, “What will I do? When will I do it? How will I measure success?”
Step 6: Break Goals into Manageable Steps
Amber Rosenberg emphasizes the importance of small, daily successes to build momentum. Break your resolution into smaller milestones and create an action plan:
- Set deadlines for each step.
- Use tools like calendars, habit trackers, or apps to stay organized.
- For example, if your goal is to read more, commit to 20 minutes a day.
How to Stick with Your New Year’s Resolutions
1. Reward Yourself for Milestones
Celebrate each step or mini-goal you achieve with meaningful rewards. This reinforces positive behavior and keeps you motivated.
Ideas for Rewards:
- A relaxing bubble bath
- Treating yourself to a new book
- A fun game night with friends
- Watching your favorite movie or taking a video game break
2. Be Flexible and Patient
Behavioral changes take time. It typically takes 21 days to establish a new habit. If progress is slower than expected, adjust your goals as needed. Remember:
- It’s okay to have setbacks. Don’t let one bad day derail your efforts.
- Focus on consistency over perfection.
3. Find a Resolution Buddy
Accountability makes a big difference. Find a friend or join a group with similar goals. Encourage each other and celebrate progress together.
4. Use Reminders to Stay on Track
Simple reminders help prevent your resolutions from slipping through the cracks. Try:
- Setting phone alerts or calendar reminders.
- Adding mini-goals to your daily to-do list.
- Placing visual cues around your home (e.g., running shoes by the door).
5. Track Your Progress
Keeping a journal or using a habit-tracking app can help you visualize your journey. Celebrate how far you’ve come, even on tough days.
- For reading goals, track daily minutes read.
- For fitness goals, log workouts or steps taken.
Popular New Year’s Resolutions
Here are some of the most common resolutions people make each year:
- Eat healthier
- Exercise more
- Learn something new
- Read more books
- Spend more time with family
- Manage stress better
- Save money or pay off debt
- Quit smoking or vaping
Do New Year’s Resolutions Work?
Yes! Even partial success is progress. A survey found that 35% of people stick to all their goals, while 50% achieve at least some of them. It’s not about perfection but about trying and improving.
Understanding How Change Happens
Behavioral change often follows the Transtheoretical Model, which includes:
- Precontemplation: Not yet recognizing a problem.
- Contemplation: Acknowledging the need for change but not ready to act.
- Preparation: Planning and committing to action.
- Action: Actively working toward the goal.
- Maintenance: Sustaining the change over time.
Making meaningful New Year’s resolutions is about choosing the right goals, creating an actionable plan, and staying consistent. With the tips above, you’re well on your way to turning your resolutions into lasting habits. Remember, progress is a journey—celebrate every step you take toward becoming your best self.
What are your resolutions this year? Share them in the comments and let’s inspire each other!