January is often viewed as a time of new beginnings – a period in which we begin to enact positive changes in our lives, often through setting “new year’s resolutions.” However, the truth is the majority of adults do not see these resolutions through till February. In fact, 23% of people quit their resolution by the end of the first week.”. 

There are many reasons why people abandon their resolutions so quickly. For example, as many adults set themselves large-scale goals, it’s easy to feel as though they’re unattainable when you’re starting out, making you feel as though you might as well give up. Alternatively, people may simply lack the long-term motivation needed for this method of goal-setting.

However, this does not mean that you cannot use the new year as a fresh start – you simply need to find another, more accessible way of challenging yourself! 

Break Larger Goals Down

Perhaps the easiest way to challenge yourself in the new year is to break down larger goals or resolutions into smaller, more manageable tasks. This way, your goals feel as though they are within arms reach, and you’re given a boost of motivation each time you reach a target. 

For example, if you’ve set yourself the challenge of starting your own business in 2024, break down the process of getting up and running as much as possible. Start by writing a business plan, then work on securing financing and then work on bringing your ideas to life. This step-by-step process is much more manageable and actually gives you a sense of direction and purpose. 

Do Something You’ve Never Done Before

There are many different ways in which you can challenge yourself. For example, you could simply challenge yourself to do something you’ve never done before – or to tick something off your ultimate bucket list, such as learning to fly. 

If you’ve always fancied taking to the skies, don’t wait another year to experience this sensation. Instead, enrol yourself in classes, buy the necessary equipment, such as pilot headsets, and get ready for your next great adventure.

Hold Yourself Accountable

Holding yourself accountable is also key when it comes to ensuring you’re challenging yourself in the right way. After all, setting yourself goals and targets is easy – but actually meeting them is another story. No matter what you’re trying to achieve this year (or this month or this week), you need to hold yourself accountable to ensure you remain on track.

Be Willing to Take a Risk

There’s a reason why we often choose to stay within our comfort zone. We feel safe within that space we’ve built for ourselves, whether that be in our personal or professional lives – and taking a risk when stepping outside of this can be daunting. However, it can also be incredibly rewarding, which means that you need to be willing to take that risk. 

For example, if you have been considering a career change for some time, you’ll never know whether or not the risk was worth it unless you take that plunge!