The New Year has kicked off, and for many of us that means New Year’s Resolutions. We all have aspirations and goals for the new year. The truth is that resolutions are difficult to keep.
Resolutions typically involve significant undertakings such as writing a book, learning a new language, shedding pounds, increasing physical activity, reading more books, adopting a healthier diet, or mastering a musical instrument. There are any number of resolutions that you may want to achieve in the new year. The problem is sticking to your goal. Many of us, myself included, give up on our resolution before we make it through April.
Why is it so hard to stick to a New Year’s Resolution?
Some experts suggest we fail because we are not trying to incorporate the change we want into a daily habit. We try to make sweeping transformations in a hurry. Instead of making big changes in our life, we should create tiny daily routines. These tiny habits will help you achieve small daily victories that will add up over the course of the year.
Here are some examples:
Instead of reading 12 books this year, try to read 10 pages a day.
Instead of creating more art this year, try drawing for just 2 minutes a day.
Instead of trying to learn a new instrument, practice for one minute each day.
Instead of getting in shape, try walking for 5 minutes each day. For a bonus, practice yoga in your pajamas for five minutes.
Hopefully, you will achieve more than your minimum goal some days. By setting small goals, you will develop a daily habit and be more likely to keep going. Remember to acknowledge your accomplishments. Come up with a reward system for yourself. Be kind to yourself. If you miss a day, no problem, start again.
Behind the illustrations
When I thought about tiny habits, the idea of small creatures accomplishing great things came to mind. Despite their minuscule size, ants construct complex structures bit by bit. The ant seemed like the perfect mascot for us to achieve our own tiny habits.
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