New Year Reset: 8 Ways To Create Habits That Last

We’ve all been there — the new year starts and we enter it full of optimism and ambition, certain that this will be our year. And then reality hits and we start singing a new tune as we realize that changing is just as hard this year as it was in the last one (maybe even harder, actually.)

Even with the best of intentions, our new years’ resolutions are often lost in the shuffle of messy lives and busy schedules. We want desperately to overcome bad habits and build new, better ones, and we often do — for a time. After the excitement of starting fresh begins to wear off, it can be tricky to stick to our goals long enough to make those new habits last.

But fear not, young grasshoppers! We have some tips and tricks for building better habits that will actually stick with you for the rest of the year (and maybe the rest of your life.)

Our first piece of advice? Cut yourself some slack. You’re human, just like the rest of us, and that means you’re going to make mistakes. But don’t let that hold you back — you’ve got this! And we’re here to help you see it through.

1. Know your "why".

Knowing why you’re making a change is the first step toward making a new habit stick. Motivation matters a LOT, especially when you’re tackling a difficult challenge. Before setting goals, make sure you understand the “why” behind what you’re doing.

If you’re hoping to make changes to your diet or exercise routine, consider the effects those adjustments will have on your daily life. Sure, we all want to look smokin’ hot on the beach in our swimmies, but that’s probably not enough to get you through the tough days (freshly baked cookies, anyone?)

Instead, consider how you will feel when you start implementing these new habits. Maybe it means being able to run around with your kids or feeling more confident at a big event you have coming up. Whatever your “why”, be thoughtful in choosing it and think back on it regularly – this will be the best motivator you can find.

2. Start small.

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle

Sure, trying to walk for 10 minutes a day might not feel like an important step on the path to excellence, but those little changes really start to add up. And by repeating them daily, we can become more confident and driven to make even bigger ones.

If your habit is to hike regularly, you’re not going to climb Everest this weekend. If you have a big goal, like getting a new job, running a marathon or going to the gym five days a week, you need to break your goal down into increments.

For example, if you want to run a marathon and you’re not much of a runner, try running two miles a day three days a week and build on that. If you try and do too much, you will most likely fail and destroy your morale. Have patience, start small and build on your progress.

3. Plan for your excuses.

What gets in the way of this habit? Is it because you’re tired? Or you run out of time? Or you forget your gym clothes or to pack your lunch? Whatever habit you’re failing to form, consider what is preventing your success. Once you nail down your usual excuses, you can address them.

If you’re trying to forgo alcohol for a period of time (or forever) having a craving crusher on hand is a great way to see your commitment through. Order a case of Grüvi today and keep your habits up all year long!

4. Give "habit stacking" a try.

When it comes to building new habits, you can use the connectedness of behavior to your advantage. One of the best ways to build a new habit is to identify a current habit you already do each day and then stack your new behavior on top. This is called “habit stacking”.

Rather than pairing your new habit with a particular time and location or just trying to remember to do it every day, you pair your new goal with a current habit you already have, like brushing your teeth. This method, which was created by BJ Fogg as part of his Tiny Habits program, can be used to design an obvious cue for nearly any habit.

Put habit stacking into practice by considering the things you already do on a daily basis and adding a new habit to create a routine. For example, if your goal is to stretch for at least ten minutes every day, start taking some time to stretch as soon as you’ve finished brushing your teeth for the night. The act of brushing your teeth will become a trigger that reminds you to stretch, making it easier to keep up the routine until it becomes a habit.

5. Share your goals.

Research confirms that your partner’s behavior and habits have a big influence on your own. So make a pact with your partner to work on a positive habit together and serve as accountability partners for one another.

Report back to one another each day on whether or not you practiced your habit (even if it’s not the same habit) and discuss why you didn’t follow through if you skipped the habit. A friendly competition and reporting system adds to your motivation to follow through.

If you don’t have a live-in partner, find someone or something else to use as a system of accountability. A great way to do this is by sharing your goals and your experience on social media. Our Dry January Facebook Group is an amazing place to find community, accountability, and support, especially when the going gets tough!

6. Set yourself up for success.

Set yourself up for success. If you do not go to the gym because you forget your gym clothes, start packing them the night before. If you are forgetting to pack your lunch, pack it the night before.

Too tired to go to the gym? Schedule a time and treat it like an appointment. Enable your habits by addressing your usual excuses and obstacles and preparing for success.

7. Start again every day.

Everyone fails, and at some point you will as well and that is just fine. Whether you cheat on a diet, skip a workout, fail to send a job application that day or whatever it is, just get back in the saddle tomorrow.

Success is often about not giving up in spite of rejection and failure, so do not lose heart when you experience a setback, keep working.

The beauty of our 24 hour clock is that it gives us the opportunity to start fresh every single day. Make the most of your mornings this year and prioritize your goals from the moment you wake up.

7. Reflect Often.

What gets measured gets managed. If you are trying to get a new job, keep track of how many applications you send and how many network connections you make and build on it. Measuring your progress also helps keep you motivated as you work towards your goal.

Beyond measuring your progress, it’s also important to reflect on how you feel as you integrate these new habits into your everyday life. Take some time each day to reflect on how far you’ve come and how it feels to stick to your goals. You’ll be surprised how confident you are, even after just a few days of accountability.

Sticking to your goals can be tough, but you'll be shocked at how easy it is to create new habits when you follow these simple tips.

The best part? Celebrating your victories! Order a case of Sober-Friendly NA Drinks and make this your BEST. YEAR. EVER.