Each New Year brings the feeling of a clean slate and the chance to start over. For many, that means setting goals for self-improvement — and then promptly breaking those resolutions halfway through February.
Maintaining a new routine or promise to yourself takes effort — not only do you have to be ready for the change, you also need the willpower to avoid falling back into old habits.
But more than anything, it takes strategy. Which is why we made a list of the 10 most common New Year's resolutions, along with a bunch of helpful tips to help you stay the course.
Lose weight/get in shape
One of the most common New Year's resolutions for Americans is to hit the gym harder. And even though Bloomberg estimated last year that it would cost as much as $7,979 a year to get in shape, it doesn't have to be that expensive.
There are a ton of iPhone apps that keep track of calories plus budget-friendly weight loss tips to help you reach your goal. Just make sure to get lots of sleep — sleep-deprived people lose 60% less weight when they diet.
Get a (new) job
First, ask yourself key questions about what kind of worker you are before getting your resume in order and starting to network with all the people in your industry. Knowing what tasks you're good at and what your major skills are will help you sift through available jobs.
Not tied down? Consider moving to one of the 14 best cities for finding a job, or away from the 10 worst cities for finding a job.
Talk to your mom more
Keeping in touch with people — whether its your mom or your business contacts— is about making priorities for yourself. If you put 20 minutes aside for a phone call or to write an email, chances are you're more likely to do it.
There are a ton of reminder apps to help you schedule your day. Or if you have terrible service, consider switching to a new carrier to get the most out of your phone calls.
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