Many people use the New Year as a fresh start to better their lives in the coming months, but what happens when the initial optimism wears off and old habits creep back in? While you may get discouraged after falling back into your previous patterns, don’t let setbacks keep you down. If you find your goals going by the wayside, create a manageable routine that helps to move you toward the change you seek. All habits are formed through repetition, although acclimating to regular practice takes effort. We have some tips to help you through the “second-month slump” so your resolutions become a reality rather than distant dreams.

Just because the year is new, it doesn’t mean you have more time in a day. Trying to build too many habits at once causes stress and discouragement when you inevitably fail to juggle them all, so take the pressure off and limit yourself to one or two at a time. When you focus your energy on a single behavior, fewer distractions impede your progress, and it takes less effort to transform your routine into second nature.

Set a pace you can manage while building your routine. After all, slow and steady wins the race. Many, in their desire for quick results, become too zealous with their expectations. Jumping from no workout to a five-mile daily run is a steep increase in physical activity and is unrealistic. You haven’t built the stamina (mentally or physically) to keep up. Instead, start small and exercise your drive. While creating a routine, an objective that requires little to no motivation is best. You’re still getting into the habit of doing the task, which is a challenge in itself. Remove the temptation to skip a day by making your starting target one you can’t excuse missing. Work up to a five-mile run by beginning with a one-mile walk. Don’t limit yourself if you feel like doing more some days, but keep in mind that, in the beginning, you’re looking for attainability and sustainability. Once your walk is habitual, incrementally increase the difficulty until you accomplish your desired result.

Ensure your goals are quantifiable. Your resolution may be to “read more,” but what does that mean in a practical sense? When you give yourself a set number, you know when you achieve it. Instead of telling yourself to “read more,” try saying you’ll read ten pages before bed. Be mindful to make the daily finish line relevant to the resolution. For example, if you would like to learn a new instrument, you may find it challenging to locate a suitable stopping point in the sheet music. Instead, put away distractions, set a timer, and practice for 15 or 30 minutes in the evening. Pacing yourself is easier when you can specify your day-to-day expectations.

Make the performance of your new habit enjoyable. Audiobooks, podcasts, and TV shows are excellent motivational tools. Yes, your favorite media may discuss methods to increase productivity, but that’s not what we mean. Use entertainment as a reward while completing tasks. If you resolve to keep your house tidy, only allow yourself to binge Netflix when you clean. You can also increase the fun factor by finding ways to achieve results using out-of-the-box methods. For instance, instead of going to the gym and walking on a treadmill for an hour, head to the roller rink or enroll in martial arts classes.

Remember that a perfectionist mindset is your enemy. We often adopt an “all or nothing” mentality, but “all” is unrealistic. There will be setbacks, and some of them won’t be in your control. Your family may have an emergency and need the time you would usually devote toward learning to play an instrument, or your car may unexpectedly break down and you can’t save a paycheck. Don’t beat yourself up when you hit a roadblock, but don’t let relapse become your new habit. If you’re concerned you won’t keep up with your routine, ask a friend to be an accountability partner. You don’t have to do it alone; community is a great way to keep yourself on track.

At the end of everything, it takes time and consistency to build lasting habits. Results won’t come overnight. Neural pathways can need months of repetitious action to form, and it doesn’t become easier with age. Remember that creating a new lifestyle is a marathon, not a race. Practice patience and grace as you work toward the finish line. It may be difficult, but the results of your persistence are worth it. No matter your goal, we hope you maintain your resolutions throughout the new year and work toward being the best version of yourself.