10 Tips for Keeping Those New Year Resolutions

I recently learned that the second Friday in January is sometimes called Quitter’s Day, because by then most people will have given up on their New Year’s resolutions. We’ve all been there—we set a goal only to give up when we fail to see progress. Part of the problem is our “I need it now” mentality. Technology has had a dramatic impact on our patience, on our ability to put in the work over time in order to see results. We’ve simply become accustomed to immediacy. Want answers? Google has them in less than a second. Need groceries? There’s a same-day delivery service for that. Require driving directions? Just ask your car or phone’s GPS. Even finding the right words to express yourself can be done with the click of a button as AI-assisted writing software proliferates across the web (the subject of an upcoming blog post).

Experts report that we fail to keep many of our resolutions because we try to change our behavior without changing our mindset, beliefs and assumptions that underpin it. This understanding of the importance of mindset was well-known to the Church Fathers. For instance, St John Chrysostom, the 4th Century Archbishop of Constantinople, wrote that “God does not inspect a person’s apparent worth, but their mindset.”

So how can we change our mindset and set ourselves on the path to accomplish our goals? Here are a few strategies that can help:

1. Set specific and achievable goals: Make sure that your goals are clear and attainable. This will give you a sense of direction and motivation.

2. Make a plan: Break your goals down into smaller, more manageable steps. This will help you stay on track and make progress.

3. Seek support: Surround yourself with people who believe in you and support your goals. This can help you stay motivated and accountable.

4. Practice gratitude: Focusing on the things you are grateful for can help you stay positive.

5. Find role models: Look for people who have achieved similar goals to the ones you have set for yourself. Seeing what others have accomplished can help you believe that you can do it too.

6. Stay positive: Keep a positive attitude, even when things get tough. 

7. Be persistent: Don't give up when you encounter setbacks or challenges. Stay focused and keep working towards your goals.

8. Keep track of your progress. Use a planner or journal to record your progress, or consider using a goal-tracking app to help you stay on track.

9. Celebrate your achievements. When you reach a milestone or accomplish a goal, take the time to celebrate your achievement. This can help keep you motivated and encourage you to continue working towards your resolution.

10. Be flexible. Life happens, and sometimes you may need to adjust your goals or your plan to fit your changing circumstances. Don't be too hard on yourself if you need to make changes—just stay focused on your overall goal.

On the off chance that you haven’t given much thought to a New Year resolution, here are some suggestions that might be particularly relevant for teen girls:

1. Improve physical health: Resolve to exercise more, eat healthier, or get more sleep.

2. Develop new skills or hobbies: This could be anything from learning a new instrument or language to trying a new sport or art form. At Merion Mercy Academy you can choose from more than 70 sports, clubs or activities; there are plenty of opportunities to try something new!

3. Get better grades: This might involve setting specific goals for academic performance, such as improving your grade in a particular class or raising your overall GPA.

4. Spend more time with friends and family: Make a commitment to put down your phone and actually talk with loved ones or set aside dedicated time for social activities.

5. Volunteer or give back to the community: Merion Mercy Academy offers numerous service opportunities for you to make a positive impact and develop a sense of purpose.

6. Reduce stress and improve mental health: Try practicing mindfulness or finding healthy ways to cope with stress, such as exercise or hobbies.

7. Set financial goals: This could involve saving money, budgeting more effectively, or learning about financial planning.

Remember that the most important thing is to choose goals that are meaningful and achievable, and to have a plan for how to achieve them.

Happy New Year!