Coming up with great New Year’s resolutions is probably something we’ve all done – and still do. There’s just something about the new year that makes us want to start with a clean slate. A completely fresh start to a brand new year – especially after the year we’ve barely survived.

Over the years, multiple surveys have proven that the new year’s “fresh start effect” can be one of the most powerful motivators to change one’s life; in other words, if there’s something important you want to tackle, you’ll probably be more effective tackling it as a new year’s resolution, as anything else. And if there was ever a year perfect for resolutions and taking the control back, it’s 2021.

But as appealing as New Year’s resolutions are, it is actually really difficult to stick to them. We are motivated for the first month or two, but then we quickly lose steam. But if you want that to change, here are some tips to help you stick to your New Year’s resolutions this year.

1. Make Your Goals Realistic

The first thing you should do when setting a goal is ask yourself: is this achievable? If your resolution is to lose 100lbs in a year, then you’re more likely to be setting yourself up for failure than for a win. But if you knock it down a peg and settle for 30lbs – that sounds perfectly achievable.

Change is a process – and while a year sounds like a long time, it still might not be enough to fully change something you’ve been struggling with. But it is enough time to make a few steps towards positive change and that’s no small thing.

2. Don’t Set the Bar Too Low

Making your goals realistic isn’t the same as slacking off. The entire point of New Year Resolutions is that they should take you out of your comfort zone and make you push yourself to do better. They must require effort. If you’re not struggling at least a little bit in the beginning, then you could be doing more.

For example, if you’re a smoker who wants to quit, then your resolution shouldn’t be “I want to cut down to half a pack a day this year”, it should be “I want to quit smoking”.

3. Break Your Goals Down

Sometimes even the most realistic resolutions can seem quite massive. And massive can be daunting. That’s why many people keep postponing dealing with them.

The easiest way to fix this is to set up a step-by-step plan on how you plan to achieve each of your resolutions.

For example, if you’re trying to lose weight, or save money – you should have a specific amount you’re aiming at each month. That way it’s not 30lbs you’re trying to lose or thousands of dollars you’re trying to save – it’s 3lbs and a couple of hundred. And that seems much easier to tackle.

4. Don’t Make The List Too Long

If your list of resolutions is too long, you’ll find yourself torn into multiple directions soon enough. And you’ll burn out and lose interest in your resolutions even quicker.

Remember that overnight success is not a thing outside of fiction – and maybe the 1% demographic. Life with all its usual struggles will still be around. Try tackling the things you really want to work on. Stick to the resolutions you know you can incorporate into your everyday routine.

5. Be Kind To Yourself

Remember that even if you don’t accomplish your resolutions fully, as long as you make a change – you’re still the winner.

So maybe you’ll lose 20lbs instead of 30lbs – that’s still a win. Maybe you won’t read as many books as you’ve planned, or won’t cut down on alcohol as much as you’ve wanted: as long as there’s a change to the positive, you’re still a winner.

Making an effort is already an accomplishment in itself, even if the results aren’t what you wanted. Don’t forget that.

6. Set Up A Safety Net

Nothing can derail your efforts as easy as being hit by an emergency. It’s much harder to lose weight, or quit smoking, or do anything else productive, if you have to worry about your home needing repairs, car breaking down, or other emergencies.

Make sure you know how to deal with these problems when they pop up: set up an emergency fund, save money each month, or, at the very least, learn where to get cash fast if need be.

How Can I Get Fast Cash?

If you’re a car owner and you are facing an emergency, then the fastest way for you to get cash could be through a title loan. The approval process usually lasts for about 30 minutes, the lenders accommodate any type of income, and they don’t care for credit scores – so you can get approved even if your credit is bad or nonexistent.

All you need are your car, along with a driver’s license or state-issued ID, and your car’s lien-free title in your name. You’ll basically be exchanging that title for cash since the title is used as collateral. You can use any vehicle’s title – truck, SUV, car, motorcycle, or even an RV – as long as you own the vehicle outright and the title is free of outstanding liens and judgments.

Where Do I Find Title Loans Near Me?

Getting a title loan near me through us at Illinois Title Loans, Inc. is as simple as it gets. To start you just have to go to our website and fill out the form. After you submit the form, wait by the phone. You’ll be contacted by one of our store representatives from the nearest location, who will go over the rest of the process and answer any questions.

After you are done with the call, you can make your way to a title loans location near you to finish up. Once there, the rep will look at your title and ID and do a quick inspection of your vehicle. Then, if the rep approves you, they will help you sign some paperwork and hand you the cash – anywhere up to $4,000.

When it comes to our resolutions, they can be tricky if not tackled realistically. Remember these tips if this is the year you want to stick to New Year’s resolutions.

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.