With the beginning of 2016 just around the corner, you can be sure that you’ll be hearing lots of people making promises they know they’ll never keep. “This time,” you tell yourself, “it’s going to be different.” But it never is, is it? After a solid start, you eventually fall off the wagon, and you’re back to square one. At least for another eleven months.
Well, why not make 2016 the year that you finally change the habits of a lifetime? A new year means endless possibilities for self-improvement, but only if you’re willing to give it a real shot. Here a few of the more common resolutions that seem to go awry, and how to stick to them in the face of adversity.
Quit Smoking
This is usually at the very top of every smoker’s wish list come the new year. Not only is it bad for your health, but it’s also equally bad for your bank balance and personal hygiene. It’s about time to cut it out. People have always had their own preferences for quitting smoking. They would either go cold turkey, which doesn’t work for everyone, or embrace patches and pills.
Now, though, the most popular choice is the electronic cigarette. Truth be told, the jury is still out on how much better they are for your health, but kicking the cigarettes is no bad thing. Either way, there has been a drastic reduction of smokers since they became readily available. It may be just the trick that finally works for you.
Pay Off Your Debts
There are many people that have become consumed by debt as a result of frivolous purchases. Try not to feel bad about it. You could soon be on the right path to becoming debt-free.
There is no great secret to paying off your debt. It just means cutting your spending and putting more savings aside to go towards repayments. Yes, that does mean you’ll have to go without certain luxuries for a while, but, what’s more important than being debt-free?
Reduce Energy Bills
This is a promise that isn’t exclusive to the new year. How often do you find yourself vowing to cut your bills, only for old habits to die hard? Every home is a giant all-consuming energy monster. Between central heating, home appliances, and air conditioning service, that’s a huge chunk of your wage. Gone. Just like that.
Start by making sure your house is insulated properly. Avoid turning on the heating when you can. Switch off lights when not in use. It’s not difficult to form good habits, as long as you reinforce them. It just takes a little bit of time and determination.
Some other popular options are joining the gym, embracing new diets, and quit drinking. The secret to these are simply how well your willpower fares under temptation. Advice can only get you so far. The rest is up to your own steely determination. What are some of your new year’s resolutions going to be? Feel free to let us known in the comments below.
