Creating a Successful New Year’s Resolution: Tips from a Psychotherapist

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As one year comes to a close and a new one begins, it is no surprise that during this time people commit to making changes within their life. As a therapist, helping clients identify and achieve goals has always been part of the work we do together. Creating goals is a helpful process in setting intention, sparking motivation and getting ourselves in alignment with who we want to be and what we want out of life. So in taking what I know from my professional line of work, here are some of my tips for creating a successful New Year’s Resolution.

1. Make Your Resolution Realistic

To be successful in achieving a goal, you must create one that is realistic and achievable. One can’t get from A to Z overnight. Start small and set yourself up for success. Once you achieve those small steps you will build momentum and confidence and be more likely to accomplish larger “baby steps.” You can always take yourself to the next level, so start where you are and use what you have. 

2. Create Action Steps

Once you identify a New Year’s resolution, think about what you have to do to achieve that goal. Perhaps your resolution is to work on managing your stress more effectively. How can you achieve that? One step may be going to Pilates once a week. Another step can be journaling before bed each night. Another could be going to therapy twice a month. It could be utilizing a planner each day to stay on top of your schedule and to-do list. One step may be saying “no” and creating boundaries. There are lots of things one can do to relieve and manage stress. Everyone is different. And everyone’s needs are different.

3. Write Them Down

Make sure to write your New Year’s resolution and the action steps down. If you are anything like me, you are forgetful. Life gets chaotic. You go into the kitchen and open the fridge only to totally blank on what you needed. When you write your goals and action steps down you have a clear plan of what you are going to do. There is no second guessing. It’s all right there. 

4. Have Accountability

Part of what works so well in therapy–when it comes to creating and achieving goals–is accountability. Once goals and action steps are identified, I continue to check-in and together we talk about progress. We figure out what is working and what is not. We problem solve around barriers and celebrate successes. Schedule time to review your progress. Have an accountability partner. By telling someone your goals you are more likely to commit to them. So confide in your significant other, tell a friend or work with a therapist. Hold  yourself accountable. 

Write your New Year’s resolution down. Determine what it is you need in order to achieve that goal (action steps). Set yourself up for success. Start small and take those baby steps. Have accountability. Problem solve around barriers. And remember: We are all a work in progress. Achieving and maintaining personal goals is an ongoing journey.

So what do you want to get out of the New Year? What do you want for yourself?

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Alisa Fulvio
Alisa is a psychotherapist, life coach and mom of three. Alisa is a native of Fairfield County and lives with her husband (a New York transplant), daughter (October 2012) and two sons (January 2015, June 2018). Following the birth of her second child, Alisa left her full-time job and pursued her dream of starting her own private practice by founding Balanced Being Counseling, LLC and Balanced Being Coaching, LLC (abalancedbeing.com) located in downtown Fairfield. Alisa specializes in working with young women and moms to decrease stress and manage feelings of anxiety and depression. She is trained in treating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and is an active committee member of Postpartum Support International- CT Chapter serving as the Communications Chair. Alisa is the creator the Facebook Group, Balanced Mama, a non-judgmental space for moms to feel inspired, gain support and come together among the chaos. She is passionate about motherhood, supporting women, buffalo chicken and a good margarita.

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