New Year's resolutions are tough, but here's how to stick to them

(WAND) - If you are feeling the pressure of sticking to your New Year's resolution, psychologist Chelsea Mueller says you are not alone.

Whether it's finances or fitness, most people fall off the wagon. The key is setting healthy goals.

"When or if somebody starts to struggle with that goal, it could lead to feelings of low self-esteem or just feeling like you can't do it or defeat," Mueller said.

When setting your goals, Mueller encourages you to use the SMART acronym. You want Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-sensitive resolutions. Some people may struggle with procrastination. Fear of failure or perfectionism can contribute to delaying your goals.

"This is what helps to make a goal more concrete. So rather than saying I want to read more books in the new year, if I make that a little bit more specific and more realistic according to my lifestyle, maybe I say I want to read one book a month or two books a month, whatever that looks like for me," Mueller said.

Mueller recommends shifting your mindset from the "all or nothing mentality." Setbacks do not mean failure. Mueller said to plan for road bumps while executing your resolution.

"You can't be 100% every day. Some days, your 80% is the best you can do. So having some flexibility in your expectations for yourself is really important," Mueller said.

Remember, progress is better than perfection, and there is joy in the journey. If you need assistance with goal setting or are struggling with accomplishing them, you can visit Heritage Behavioral Health services.

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