New year, new habits: How to change for the better in 2024

Whether your new year's resolution is to get in shape, improve your finances or be a kinder person, with the right approach, you can reach your goals in 2024.

It’s fairly easy to dream of change, but it’s another thing entirely to actually make it happen. In fact, research shows that only 8% of people achieve the resolutions they make in January.

Can 2024 become the year you actually stick to it?

With a little structure and the right mindset, it can be done! Here are some proven ways to keep your resolutions (financial or not) going throughout the new year.

Set measurable goals 

Don’t just resolve to be better this year. Set realistic, measurable goals to help you stay on track and ensure real progress. 

By keeping your goal S.M.A.R.T., your chances of reaching it improves significantly.

• Specific. Don’t be vague about how you want to improve. Resolutions like “Try to be a kinder person,” don’t translate into tangible steps. Instead, make goals like “Do one random act of kindness each day.”
• Measurable. Make sure your goals have clear markers to track your progress.
• Achievable. Be realistic about what you can accomplish. If you haven’t worked out in years, don’t resolve to run a 10K this year. Instead, start small, like committing to a 10-minute workout each day.
• Relevant. Focus on areas where you need the most improvement.
• Time-based. Set a specific date for achieving each goal.
  
  

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is basically the act of focusing on the present moment and understanding your feelings about it. While that may sound a little out there, studies show that one reason people ruin their budgets is because they spend money without consciously thinking about it.

Resolve to be more mindful about your spending this year. The next time you're about to click add to cart, take a breath and think about what you’re purchasing and how much you’re paying for it. 

Partner up with a friend 

Would your best friend or spouse make an excellent accountabilibuddy? According to MyFitnessPal.com, dieters who share their food diaries with a buddy lose twice as much weight. It’s a psychology hack: Knowing that somebody else is expecting us to deliver creates more ability within us to do so.

Choose a friend whose income is comparable to yours and has the resolve to stick to resolutions with you. Set up a weekly time to review progress (or regression) you've made. If your resolution is finance-related you can use Louisiana FCU's online budgeting tool to help you log your spending, find your weak areas, and stay accountable for your friend.

Write down your goals 

Depend on how old you are, putting pen to paper may seem like an obsolete practice, but hear us out. The act of putting your financial resolutions into writing can help imprint them to your memory. According to a recent study, people who vividly describe or picture their goals are anywhere from 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to successfully accomplish their goals than people who don’t.

Like this article? Subscribe to our blog and have great financial insights delivered to your inbox weekly.