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This year is coming to a close, and 2019 is right around the corner — which, for many people, means setting New Year’s resolutions, like adopting a healthier lifestyle, becoming debt-free or going back to school. Here are some things to keep in mind as you make your list of goals for the upcoming year:
Embrace positivity
When results don’t happen as quickly as you want them to, it’s easy to get discouraged. This is OK — it’s a normal human reaction — but it’s important to not let the feeling consume you and keep you from meeting your goals.
As you set New Year’s resolutions, make it an additional goal to embrace positivity on your journey to completing them. Don’t let negativity and frustration take your focus away from achieving success.
Set short-term goals
It’s helpful to have a plan in place to help you complete your resolutions so they don’t get put in the backburner as life happens. Think of some short-term goals you can aim toward that will help you achieve your final objectives.
Make these short-term goals into a checklist that leads to achieving your resolutions. As you finish each goal, check it off your list. Take some pride in what you have accomplished so far, and realize how close you are to completing what you sought out to accomplish.
So if your resolution is to lose 50 pounds next year, divide your short-term goals into 10 pound increments, so you are truly able to see how you are progressing on your wellness journey and stay motivated.
Prioritize giving back to your community
As you finalize your list of resolutions, consider making one to prioritize giving back to your community.
Volunteer at a local Salvation Army corps or facility or a local non-profit to help those in need.
You can also go through items in your home and donate what you don’t need anymore to a Salvation Army Family Store to support the organization’s many programs benefiting your local community.
These may seem like small things, but they aren’t. If we each commit to do good this upcoming year, together we can make a difference in our communities.
Cultivate change
Find a cause you are passionate about to support that can make a positive difference in the world, and make that a resolution you pursue. Be a voice for change, and take the steps necessary to make it a reality.
If you want to make a difference for the environment, recycle—and encourage others to do the same. If you want to help combat homelessness, volunteer at a local shelter. The point is to take action, be bold, advocate for change—and inspire others to do the same.
Have a support system in place
Make sure you have a support system in place for motivation and encouragement as you work toward completing your New Year’s resolution.
They will be the people who will push you to keep going when you’re disheartened, motivate you when you are questioning if you will be successful or not and keep you accountable when you lose focus on your end goal.
Having people alongside you, cheering you on, will keep you determined on making all your resolutions come true. They will help you get to the finish line.
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