Now that we’ve made it to the new year, we all have the same resolution: to be better. But let’s be honest, it seems like more and more people are starting to give up on their goals as January becomes February. Maybe you’re one of those people who has already given up on your resolutions. If that’s the case, don’t worry! Here are six ways that will guarantee you won't achieve your New Year's resolutions.

The Problem With New Year's Resolutions

First, let's talk about the problem with New Year's resolutions.

Sometimes people don't know what they want to change. Maybe they've never taken the time to figure that out. And without that knowledge, they don't know how to make it happen.

Some people might say "I'm not sure if my resolution is realistic." But what does that mean? We all have the same 24 hours in a day, right? The thing holding you back might be your mindset or your expectations for yourself. You may think that you need to overhaul your life and change everything at once. But you don't! It's better to start small and build on those changes than to set unrealistic goals that will only lead you to give up on your resolutions.

We're not saying that it's impossible to achieve your resolutions—it's just really hard!

You Already Need To Change Your Goal

If you really want to achieve your New Year's resolution this year, you need to change what it is.

If your goal is to eat healthier in the new year, you're going to need to learn how to cook. If your goal is to exercise more often, you're going to need a gym membership and a good playlist.

Make sure that the goals you set are achievable and realistic for your lifestyle. You'll be less likely to give up on your resolutions if they're something you can commit to long-term. Make sure they fit with who you are and what you do every day!

Make Smaller Goals

Many people make the mistake of setting these monumental goals for themselves, and it’s not until they fail to complete their goal that they realize how big it really is. With such huge goals, it becomes difficult to stay motivated and give up easily.

Instead, make smaller goals or break your large goal down into smaller ones. This will help you feel more accomplished as you work towards your resolution.

For example, if your resolution is to start working out during January, try making a goal to go to the gym five days a week. Or if your resolution is to eat healthier in 2018, try adding veggie-rich foods to your diet every day this month rather than cutting out all junk food. It feels good when you check off small tasks on your list!

Keep Your Resolutions Flexible

Achieving your goals is only as difficult as you make it. If you’re already feeling like giving up, don’t let that stop you from achieving your resolutions. Just because we’ve made it to February doesn’t mean we give up on our New Year's resolutions.

You can still achieve your goals this year, but you need to make sure you’re not setting unattainable goals for yourself. Sometimes we get so excited about our plans and we find ourselves with unrealistic expectations before we even start. It’s important to set realistic goals and be flexible.

If one of your resolutions was to write a book, maybe instead of making it a 300-page book in the next four months, set a goal of writing 10 pages at a time. Keep in mind that when planning your New Year's resolution, the goal should be attainable and something that will bring joy to you when achieved.

There Is No "Make-Up Month" For This One!

The first way not to achieve your resolutions is by not setting a goal. That sounds kind of counterproductive, right? But it’s one of the most common mistakes people make when they start a new year.

Setting goals is important because they allow you to create a path for yourself and focus on what needs to be done. Goals provide motivation and direction. And without them, you're just going in circles!

So if you're trying to be better in any area of your life, then take the time now to set goals that motivate you and will help you see progress over time.

Track Your Progress

It can be easy to forget about your resolutions as time goes on. One way to avoid that is by tracking your progress. If you keep a record of what you’ve done, it will be easier to stay motivated and keep going.

If you want to go jogging every day, make a note of how far you ran or the amount of time you spent outside with a running app like Runkeeper or Strava. Your health will thank you later!

Planning On Quitting? Say It Out Loud!

If you're one of the people who want to give up on your resolutions, at least admit it. It will be much easier to do if you acknowledge that you're not going to do it.

One way you can help yourself is by saying your goal out loud. You don't need to admit that you're giving up if you don't want to, but get comfortable with the idea of quitting.

Conclusion

New Year's resolutions can be a great way to start the year off right, but as the old saying goes, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Here are six ways to guarantee you won't achieve your New Year's resolutions—and what you can do instead.