Making resolutions at the beginning of the year is a great way to start a fresh chapter, which is presumably why so many people do it. The start of a new year means that it is a chance for a fresh start, a chance to break bad habits and develop new routines that will advance your mental, emotional, social, physical, and intellectual development.

Although, studies have shown that only 12% of adults end up sticking with their New Year resolutions. If adults are this bad at keeping up with resolutions, young ones for sure are going to be worse.

But wait! This year it’s going to be different. Let us help you make sure that your child makes it into the 12% league by choosing the right goals, smart planning & rewiring the mind with simple hacks.

Set the right goals for this new year:

A time management study showed that only one out of three resolutions ever make it through the end of January, let alone the year.

There are a few mistakes that one tends to make while setting a goal for self – the goal is either very vague, unrealistic, or just plain boring. 

All you have to do is be ‘SMART’ when setting goals. By smart we mean,

1. Specific

The goals need to be more specific and narrow.

Being vague gives your mind room to wander, lose interest and eventually give up on the resolutions.

So rather than just saying “I’ll exercise more this year”, you could set yourself a goal of “Cycling thrice a week for 5 km”.

2. Measurable

Quantifiable evidence of progress acts like a hormonal reward that boosts their confidence. The data from past resolutions help you re-evaluate your plans if needed.

Instead of “I will learn to skip rope daily”, you may set a goal of “I will achieve 50 skips at a stretch by the end of the month”.

3. Attainable

Set goals that are realistic, and achievable & focus on a few high-impact goals rather than a big list of goals.

It’s good to be ambitious with your goals but having too many things on the plate makes it hard to do them all efficiently or even worse skip them all.

So start small!

4. Relevant

The goals should align with the child’s interests & should be something they’d love to do.

Help them personalize their resolutions as much as possible.

5. Time-based

Set close to real timelines for completing certain tasks.

Help them refine their resolution but we strongly urge parents to let the young ones pick their resolutions & avoid micromanaging.

Plan:

Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

6. Use tech

Use digital planners like Google Calendar, to set off reminders/alarms to help you keep in check.

Record your child’s progress on a spreadsheet if necessary.

7. Slow down & work in bits

It’s all about forming a habit, letting your mind & body get used to a routine. So take your time to build the habit. If you’ve set a very ambitious resolution, break it down into sizable chunks & work your way up to the bigger goal.

8. Plan for faults/failures

One is sure to fall back to their human patterns at least a couple of times while trying something out of their comfort zone.

So your plans should have room to accommodate those stormy days.

9. Mind hacking

We did urge you to not micromanage.

But, we know that your parental instincts say otherwise.

Here’s how you can nudge your child without making it obvious.

10. Mirrored behavior

young ones tend to subconsciously mimic traits from their parents & also as they say “the best way to hide is in plain sight”. Setting up resolutions that involve both you & your young ones doing it together is the best way to ensure you keep a check on them without spying on them.

11. Accountability partner

Have someone either you or your best friend check on their progress/milestones now and then.

12. Prescribe don’t dictate

Give your child constructive feedback, do not dictate for them to do something. Forcing them to do a certain thing might make them less interested, hence making them stop doing it together.

13. Setting up triggers

Set up subtle triggers, for instance, if you want them to make their bed in the morning & if your child loves to have fruits in the morning. Give them fruits only once they make their bed. Link something they love to do with something that seems mundane to them.

 

And of course, with all these tricks up your sleeve, we’re sure that your young ones will reach all the milestones and tick all their new year resolutions that they had set for themselves. So, reward them with gifts/experiences they’ll love.

 

Keep skilling.

With Ulipsu

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