Level Up Your Life in 2024: The Ultimate Guide to New Year's Resolutions

As this year draws to a close, many of us start to consider common resolution ideas to work on in the months ahead. But let’s face it — making New Year’s resolutions is easy; sticking to them, not so much!

Did you know that 80% of resolution-makers lose steam by mid-February? Staying motivated is the true challenge!

Whatever your goals for the new year, this in-depth guide will help you prepare a concrete plan for achieving even the most ambitious resolution ideas.

Reflect on the past year

Before setting any New Year’s resolutions, take a moment to look back on the past year. What went well? What could have been better? This is a good time to identify your strengths and areas for improvement so you can set realistic, achievable goals.

Count your wins

Celebrate the moments that brought a smile to your face. Maybe it’s a project you completed, a personal milestone conquered, or a new skill learned. Jot down those victories — big or small!

Embrace the lessons

Consider the challenges and setbacks you experienced this year. What did they teach you? Remember, every stumble is an opportunity for growth. Note the lessons and how you can use these experiences to pave the way to success.

Take a gratitude inventory

Dwelling on the negative is not only terrible for your mental health, but it also sets you up for failure. This is where a gratitude journal can come in handy. The more you recognize the positive moments, experiences, and people you encountered this year, the more likely you are to carry that positivity into next year — and having a positive attitude makes you more likely to achieve your goals.

Set clear and achievable goals

Now that you've taken stock of this year, it's time to look ahead. Setting New Year's resolutions isn't just wishful thinking; it’s a roadmap to your aspirations. Take the time to consider your accomplishments to date, as well as what goals you can set that are realistic for you.

Define your objectives 

What do you want to achieve in the new year? Do you want to break a bad habit? Get your debt under control? Develop a better bedtime routine? This is the time to get a clear picture of your goals. Whether it’s in your career, personal growth, finances, relationships, or health, clarity is key.

Make SMART goals

New Year’s resolutions, like any goal, benefit from being S.M.A.R.T. This acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely.

• Specific: The clearer the goal, the easier it is to stay focused.

For example, “I want to work out at the gym regularly” is more defined than “I want to improve my physical health.”

• Measurable: Can you track your progress? Being able to work toward certain milestones can keep you motivated.

“I want to go to the gym three times per week.”

• Achievable: Your resolutions should be challenging, but achievable. Don’t set a goal you know you can’t reach.

“I should focus on showing up at the gym instead of weighing myself every day and trying to move the number on the scale.”

• Relevant: Set resolutions that are meaningful to you and what you hope to achieve in the new year.

“Going to the gym regularly makes me feel good mentally and physically, and I enjoy the routine.”

• Timely: Give your New Year’s resolution a deadline.

“My goal is to go to the gym three times a week in January. On January 31st, I can reevaluate my routine.”

Create a plan of action

Once you’ve set your New Year’s resolutions, it’s time to build an actionable plan to ensure your success.

Break goals into smaller tasks

Since smaller tasks are less intimidating and easier to track, divide your resolutions into manageable steps. For example, here’s how you might break down going to the gym three times a week:

• Monday: Meet with a personal trainer.
• Wednesday: 20-minute strength training.
• Saturday: Attend yoga class.

f these tasks seem a little too easy, that’s the point. You want them to be manageable enough that you’re motivated to complete them.

Use a planner or app

Having your goals and tasks visually laid out can boost motivation and help with accountability. Depending on your organization style, try jotting down your plan and action steps in a planner, journal, or app.

Review your progress

Set aside time regularly, such as weekly or monthly, to assess your progress. You might even set daily reminders on your phone to be sure you check in with yourself. This is the time to reflect on your achievements, set new milestones, and make adjustments if needed.

Build your support network

Remember, you don’t have to go it alone! Evaluate your personal and financial support systems and explore ways to bolster them.

Enlist the help of an accountability partner

Join forces with a dependable friend or support group with similar goals for the new year. Share your personal goals, celebrate your milestones, and reach out to one another when things get tough.

Evaluate your finances

Do you have the financial resources to work toward your goal? If not, what resources are available?

For instance, if you’re worried that a gym membership will strain your finances, update your budget before signing that contract. Once you lock yourself into a membership plan, you’ll need to know which financial solutions you can turn to in case money gets tight between paydays.

Keep an open mind

New Year’s resolutions are a journey, not a rigid path from A to B. It’s essential to remain adaptable and open to realigning your priorities when necessary.

Embrace flexibility

Understand that circumstances change. Be open to adjusting your plans without losing sight of your overarching goals.

Learn from setbacks

Setbacks are opportunities for growth. Analyze what went wrong and take away any insights that can help you refine your strategies.

Celebrate progress, not perfection

Progress is progress, and every effort counts toward your ultimate success. Acknowledge and celebrate every step forward, no matter how small. When you empower yourself to overcome obstacles, take away lessons from the mishaps, and maintain momentum, you’re more likely to achieve any goal you set for yourself.

Your journey to a successful new year starts now!

Whatever your New Year’s resolution, remind yourself why you’re doing this. Ultimately, you’re trying to achieve the life you want — and taking these steps is how you get there! As always, Advance America is here whenever you need a quick financial solution. Explore our personal loans today to see how we can support you and your personal and financial goals in the new year.