Have you ever made a new year resolution and stuck to it? If there’s anyone out there who has, kudos to you! There’s something about a new year beginning that gives us the motivation be better and achieve greater things than the year before. However, let’s not pretend that it can get a little overwhelming. So, how should you go about setting resolutions? We like to stick to the age-old rule of K.I.S.S: keep it simple, stupid!

Keep it real

While we encourage you all to reach for the stars, it’s important to remember to set realistic expectations for yourself. Declaring that you’re going to be the next Jeff Bezos within 12 months after starting from scratch…might be a bit of a stretch. Think about where you are, your end goal, and what it will take for you to get there. Just like Bill Gates said, “most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years”.

Divide and conquer

The resolution you aim to achieve at the end of 12 months will only be reached after the mini accomplishments along the way. Wanting to run a marathon at the end of the year? You’ll need to run 5km, 10km, 20km & 30km before you conquer a 42km marathon. Create checkpoint markers throughout your journey so the end goal is more achievable.

Keep a record of progress

Life moves fast, so it’s important to keep track of your progress along the way. If your resolution is to save a specific amount of money, have a fortnightly or monthly check in by going through your finances to see where you’re at, and be aware of the resources around you. For example, instead of making a dent in your money pool, simply take out an instant payday advance with MyPayNow. Just make sure you keep record in a diary and hold yourself accountable for everything. Diaries or journals are great for self-reflection and tracking progress – the highs and lows!

Celebrate the wins

Baby steps are still steps and deserve to be celebrated. Before setting out on your resolution, set yourself a reward for each of your wins throughout the process, and then an ultimate prize when you reach your final accomplishment. Incentivising keeps the challenge fun and gives you a pat at times when you might be lacking in motivation.