Fort Wellness Counseling

Fort Wellness Counseling White Horizontal Logo

How to Set New Year's Resolutions

By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP
how to set new year's resolutions

How to Set New Year’s Resolutions

Setting goals gives us a sense of purpose. Additionally, achieving them can boost our self-esteem, confidence, personal growth, and sense of accomplishment.

Here’s how to set New Year’s resolutions (and ensure you stick with them):

Identify Areas of Improvement

Naturally, areas of your life that need improvement will vary from person to person. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying too much at once! Instead, identify potential lifestyle changes and select just one or two to work on.

(To better motivate you to achieve your goals, make sure you know why you’re pursuing them.)

Be Realistic, Yet Optimistic

When setting goals, you must acknowledge your limitations and set realistic expectations. However, this shouldn’t come at the expense of optimism! Make sure to engage in positive self-talk while working towards your goals.

Prioritize Goals Based on Importance

If you’re setting multiple goals, prioritize them on a matter of importance, need, and time. Additionally, breaking larger goals into smaller chunks makes them more attainable.

Make Sure They’re SMART Goals

You’ll need a plan to achieve your goals. Additionally, make sure they are…

      • Specific. Consider the who, what, where, when, and why of your goal.

      • Measurable. Make sure you’re able to monitor your progress.

      • Attainable. Your goal shouldn’t be too challenging.

      • Relevant. Will it fit into your current lifestyle?

      • Timely. Set clear, realistic time limits.

    Establish Routines and Monitor Your Progress

    Turning your resolutions into habits will make them stick. Therefore, we recommend habit stacking, which leverages already-existing routines to build healthy habits. Essentially, the brain has strong neural connections for our daily routines, and habit stacking is all about piggybacking those connections with new behaviors. The concept of habit stacking comes from a great book, Atomic Habits by James Clear.  

    Also recognize that many goals take a while to achieve, and you’re likely to encounter setbacks. Be organized and keep track of your goal’s progress. Additionally, consider rewarding yourself at milestones if you need a bit of motivation.

    You Can Start Goals Anytime

    Lastly, I’d encourage you to not think about “New Year’s Resolutions.”  The reasoning?  You can start a new goal, habit or lifestyle change any day of the week, any time of year, whenever you want.  Far too often we set goals that are months in advance.  You can get started today.  One of the most important keys is to work on your overall mindset about goals and lifestyle changes.  Find ways to track your progress and reward yourself.  Try to get a little bit better as each day progresses.   

    Fort Worth Therapist

    If you were wondering how to set New Year’s resolutions, we hope today’s post pointed you in the right direction. However, if you need help cultivating long-lasting change, our Fort Worth therapists are here for you. We specialize in individual therapy, life coaching services, and specialty counseling. Additionally, we’re well-equipped to help you achieve your goals and experience a higher quality of life.

    Ready to get started? Contact our team today

    Get Started Today
    A male burnt out with his head down on a book exhausted.
    Therapy

    How to Recover from Burnout

    How to Recover from Burnout By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP Burnout is a common struggle in today’s fast-paced world. Life’s relentless demands can

    how to cope with holiday stress
    Therapy

    How to Cope with Holiday Stress

    How to Cope with Holiday Stress By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP Say No to Prevent Burnout There are an abundance of obligations that

    functioning alcoholic
    Therapy

    What Is a Functioning Alcoholic?

    What is a Functioning Alcoholic? By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP When someone is deemed a ‘high-functioning alcoholic,’ they’re able to carry out daily

    what is assertive communication?
    Therapy

    What Is Assertive Communication?

    What is Assertive Communication? By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP So, what is assertive communication? Well, in a nutshell, this communication style aims to

    EMDR therapy Fort Worth, Texas
    Therapy

    What is EMDR Therapy?

    What is EMDR Therapy? By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP Ever heard of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy? More commonly known as EMDR,

    Brainspotting therapy for trauma release
    Therapy

    What Is Brainspotting Therapy?

    What is Brainspotting Therapy? By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP Brainspotting therapy is a kind of alternative therapy that is gaining immense popularity in

    a person practicing gratitude and enjoying the benefits of it.
    Therapy

    12 Benefits of Gratitude

    12 Benefits of Gratitude By: Rane Wallace, LPC, LCDC, SAP With Thanksgiving coming to a close, we thought it was fitting to explore the link

    a female suffering from seasonal depression.
    Therapy

    How to Avoid Seasonal Depression

    How to Avoid Seasonal Depression By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP Daylight savings has officially come and gone. For most of us, this means

    Scrabble pieces that say inhale, exhale and repeat.
    Therapy

    10 Best Ways to Calm Yourself Down

    10 Best Ways to Calm Yourself Down Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP When we’re navigating social media, complex relationships, and performance pressures, it’s easy

    A female that is stressed out.
    Therapy

    The Effect of Stress on Your Body

    The Effects of Stress on Your Body By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP Are you feeling stressed out? Overwhelmed? Increasingly anxious? If so, you

    A male that is experiencing a panic attack and severe anxiety.
    Therapy

    How to Stop a Panic Attack

    How to Stop a Panic Attack: 9 Strategies By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP If you’ve experienced a panic attack, then you know how

    A male that is addicted to porn and looking on his computer.
    Therapy

    8 Signs You Are Addicted to Porn

    8 Signs You Are Addicted to Porn (And How It Ruins Relationships) By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP As a porn addiction therapist, I