With the start of 2019,  bringing a new semester, there is a yearly societal cycle of making New Year’s resolutions. These resolutions are followed through for maybe a month, but ultimately results in a resolution for the next year. As a Xavier student, I noticed this pattern with both my academic and general resolutions two years ago. This cycle is most commonly due to bad resolutions. With these steps to creating a resolution in writing, you will be able to follow through with your resolutions throughout the year.

Step 1: Find an area you need to improve in

When making a resolution, focus on an area of your life that you want to improve in and from that subcategory, narrow it down and find a specific something that is reasonable for you to achieve. For example, if you want to improve your health, then narrowing your resolutions down to adding physical activity into your schedule. It is critical for your resolutions to not be too broad or else they are practically impossible to achieve. It’s better to have several limited goals than one broad one.

Senior Helen Innes said that her parents made a New Years resolution to try something new. Because of this, “They made themselves sign up for a curling class. They had never done anything like it before, but they thought that there was no better time than the present.”

Step 2: Describe specific steps to take or habits to implement in order to reach this goal.

Once you have narrowed down your resolution start pondering about what habits to take in order to implement it into your life. Using the example above, one could find certain exercises online, a physical trainer, or think about buying a gym membership. When thinking of these activities you should keep in mind that they should be done long term. Strict diets usually do not make for good resolutions unless you are positive you could stick with them throughout the entire year.

Step 3: Consider situations in your life when making the goal and revise

This step is when you start to think about how the steps and habits you brainstormed would fit into your life specifically. Let’s say you want to start running consistently. This would be the time when you start thinking about what time you would want to run everyday. This is also when you would start thinking about what you might have to purchase or make to add this into your schedule. Make sure these habits would be attainable rain or shine. It is also helpful have a backup plan just in case. Another part of this step is making sure you are not pushing yourself too hard. Think of healthy habits for your current lifestyle that will not leave you completely exhausted or in utter pain. This step is probably the most important because it takes out the whim of writing resolutions and adds reality into it.

Step 4: Question your motivations

Why do you want to attain this goal? Is it to be healthier, to make yourself proud, or possibly to improve on a certain skill? How strong are they? Be aware of your motivations because they help to shift your mindset and keep you focused on what you want to do. Knowing what you want to do and why gives you strength when morale is low.

Step 5: Try your best

At the end of the day, you are the only one who can achieve your goals. Try to be the best version of yourself. Good luck and Happy New Year!

Senior Helen Innes’ parents try a new curling class. They wanted to try something new for the New Year, so they signed themselves up for an introductory course. Photo courtesy of Helen Innes ‘19