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Getting Started
It’s almost that time of year again where we start planning our New Years Resolutions for the year ahead but no matter how motivated you are, many of us still seem to fail our New Year’s Resolutions within the first couple months of the year. And why do we fail so soon? Well, most of our goals are simply unattainable or not specific enough. You might set a goal such as “getting organised” but what does that really mean?
In order to achieve your goals, first begin by writing them down. Then, take a look and assess whether you’ve set too many goals. Many of us seem to think that we need to get working on our resolutions right away, but it’s actually better to break them up throughout the year rather than tackling them all at once.
From there, you want to make sure your goals are SMART. This stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound. Write down these sub-headings for each goal, and start writing down how each goal will meet each criteria.
Now, let's take a look at some of the New Year’s Goals you might set for yourself, and how to achieve them.
Get in Shape
Getting in shape can mean a variety of things for different people. You might simply want to exercise more so that you’re able to stay healthy and active, or your goal might be to lose weight as you feel this will make you more confident. In this aspect, make sure you think about why you want to achieve your goal and keep this in mind constantly. The best way to stay motivated is to think “Why am I doing this”.
If you don’t exercise much at the moment, it can be hard to dive right into it and you’ll burn yourself out if you do too much, too soon. You could start your journey by simply taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or go for a morning walk, which will eventually turn into a run.
Find classes in your area by using the Chatloop app, and find healthy meal options as recommended by other people. Start a community and let people know what works for you.
Quit Smoking
Whether it’s vaping or cigarettes, many people wish they could cut down on smoking but struggle to do so. With Chatloop, you can find other people with the same goals as you, and encourage each other every step of the way. Search for handy tips online and share them with others, and add things to your wishlist that will help you stop.
A great place to start when quitting smoking is to write down all your reasons to quit. The problem for many people is that they knew it was bad for them when they started, and that never stopped them; so writing down more than this as a reason to quit can really help them. For example, what would be the consequences to those around you if your health took a turn?
Get Organised
As mentioned previously, getting organised is a big new years resolution for many people, but it isn’t specific. There are many ways of getting organised, and you need to think about what this means to you. A great way of getting organised in general, is to create habits.
To create habits, you can make to-do lists that you stick to each week. Plan in time each week to complete certain tasks such as keeping your home tidy, or working on your personal development. Another way to get organised may be to declutter your home. This gives you a tidy place to think and gives you less to worry about.
Chatloop can also aid with staying organised, by allowing you to create wishlists and pin things for later; such as household tips you’ve found online, calendars that will help you plan your time and more.
Save Money
With the cost of living crisis, more people than ever are looking to save money where they can. So, how do we achieve this? First up, you can research spending trackers online on Chatloop. Find one that works for you, and start looking at what you’re spending each month. From here, you can then categorise what is essential and where you can cut down.
Then when you’ve categorised what is essential, you can start to look at how to reduce these costs too. For example, you may be able to find a more cost-effective energy provider by heading online and doing a bit of research. Ask other people about the providers they use, and discover deals on the web.
One important thing to remember when saving money is to still put money aside to treat yourself every now and then. One reason many people fail this goal is because they’re too harsh with it. It’s not enjoyable if you can’t have a treat every now and then. Reward yourself in small ways!
Make sure to download the Chatloop app, and start sharing your resolutions and how you plan to achieve them. Invite your friends so that they can encourage you along the way.
