The start of a new year is the perfect time to turn a new page and 2021 is the year to make a change! The new year can be a fresh start and a great opportunity to change bad habits and get on a better routine. Of course, New Year’s resolutions are much easier to make than to keep, and by the end of March, many of us have almost forgotten about them altogether.

A study shows only around 12% of people who make New Year’s resolutions felt that they were successful in achieving their goals.  Some of the most common resolutions include losing weight, sticking to a healthier diet, exercising regularly, making better financial choices, quitting smoking, and spending more time with family.

While many people feel that they don’t necessarily achieve their resolution goals, there is some good news. Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, those who set New Year’s resolutions are 10 times more likely to actually change their behavior than people who don’t make these yearly goals.

So, what can you do to make it more likely that you will keep your next resolution? The following tips may help you beat the odds.

Choose a Specific, Yet Realistic Goal

Every year, millions of adults resolve to “lose weight,” “be more productive,” or “get in shape” during the next year. Instead of setting a vague goal, focus on something that you can realistically set your sights on. We want to choose a very specific, achievable, realistic goal.

For example, you might commit to losing 10 pounds, making daily to-do lists, or running a mini-marathon. Be sure to make your goal realistic rather than so far fetched that you may get discouraged. Choosing a truly achievable goal also gives you the opportunity to plan exactly how you are going to accomplish (and stick to) your goal over the course of the year.

Focus on One Goal at a Time

While you might have a long list of potential New Year’s resolutions, we suggest that you pick just one and focus your energies on it rather than spreading yourself too thin among a number of different resolutions. Achieving even one small goal can boost your belief in yourself and give you the confidence to continue. For larger goals, break them into manageable chunks and work on one at a time.

Taking on too much all at once can be daunting. Focusing yourself on one specific goal makes keeping a resolution much more achievable. 

Start With Small Steps

Taking on too much too quickly is a common reason why so many New Year’s resolutions fail. Starting an unsustainably restrictive diet, overdoing it at the gym, or radically altering your normal behavior are surefire ways to derail your plans. Instead, focus on taking tiny steps that will ultimately help you reach your larger goal.

While it may seem like a slow start, these small incremental changes make it easier to stick to your new healthy habits and increase the likelihood of long-term success.

Remember That Change Is a Process

Those unhealthy or undesired habits that you are trying to change probably took years to develop, so how can you expect to change them in just a matter of days, weeks, or months? Be patient with yourself. Understand that working toward your resolution is a process. Even if you make a misstep or two, you can restart and continue on your journey towards your goal.

It may take longer than you would like to achieve your goals, but remember that this is not a race. Once you have made the commitment to changing a behavior, it may be something that you continue to work on for the rest of your life.

Get Support

Yes, you’ve probably heard this advice a million times, but that is because the buddy system actually works. Having a solid support system can help you stay motivated and accountable. Friends make sticking to your resolution more fun, too. So, ideally, find a like-minded pal or loved one to join you in your goal.

Renew Your Motivation

During the first days of a New Year’s resolution, you will probably feel confident and highly motivated to reach your goal. Because you haven’t really faced any discomfort or temptation associated with changing your behavior, making this change might seem all too easy.

After dealing with the reality of dragging yourself to the gym at 6 a.m. or gritting your teeth through headaches brought on by nicotine withdrawal, your motivation to keep your New Year’s resolution may start to dwindle.

When you face such moments, remind yourself exactly why you are doing this. Think about (or write a list to keep handy) what do you have to gain by achieving your goal. Finding sources of inspiration can keep you going when times get tough.

Keep Working on Your Goals

By March, many people have lost that initial spark of motivation that they had in January. Keep that inspiration alive by continuing to work on your goals, even after facing setbacks. If your current approach is not working, reevaluate your strategies, and develop a new plan. Being flexible with your plan—and even your end goal—will help you be successful.

By sticking with it and working on your goal all year long, you can be one of the few able to say that you really did keep your New Year’s resolution—and if you’re writing down your progress and strategies, you’ll have ready proof of your efforts if you’re ever feeling like giving up.

Learn and Adapt

Encountering a setback is one of the most common reasons why people give up on their New Year’s resolutions. If you suddenly relapse into a bad habit, don’t view it as a failure. The path toward your goal is not always a straight one, and there will often be challenges along the way. Instead, view relapses as learning opportunities.

If you are keeping a resolution journal, write down important information about when the relapse occurred, what might have triggered it, and what you might do differently next time. By understanding the challenges you face, you will be better prepared to deal with them in the future.