Its time to get motivated (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Making resolutions is an age-old way to get ready for the New Year.

Whether it’s financial goals, cooking more often or finally putting those running trainers on, New Year’s resolutions are personal and completely down to what you want to get out of them.

According to research, 28% of Brits will be setting goals for 2023.

However, you may be one of the quarter of people who find it hard to make New Year’s resolutions that actually last beyond the first week of January.

To help, we got experts to share their top tips when it comes to making new year resolutions that stick.

Know your why

It’s very important to know why you’re making this resolution.

‘Before you set your goal in stone, stop to ask yourself why you want to achieve this,’ says confidence coach Hattie MacAndrews.

‘Often, we set goals because we feel like it’s something we ‘should’ be doing, or that it’s actually something everyone else wants to achieve.’

For example, if you want to start running once a week – ask yourself why.

The reasoning is completely up to you, but knowing why you’re doing something makes it more likely to stick. 

‘At the end of the day, when completing your task starts to get tough and your motivation begins to dwindle, having this clarity on your ‘why’ is what will keep you going,’ says Hattie.

‘Your intent has to be crystal clear if you want a shot at success.’

At the end of the day, when completing your task starts to get tough and your motivation begins to dwindle, having this clarity on your ‘why’ is what will keep you going. Your intent has to be crystal clear if you want a shot at success.

Stack your habits

One good way to make consistent changes to your life is by habit stacking. 

‘Stacking your means tying your new habit to an existing one,’ psychologist Madeleine Gauffin tells Metro.co.uk.

‘Researchers have found that it can take an average of 66 days before habits become automatic, so start a new habit by adding it to something you already do every day.’

Habit stacking is a clever way to make resolutions stick (Picture: Getty Images)

For example, after brushing your teeth, add a few minutes of meditation to your routine. 

If you want to start journaling, try doing it straight after a meal. 

‘It’s crucial to create some space for your new healthy habits and allow them to become part of your daily life,’ adds Madeleine.

Start small

Setting smaller goals as part of a larger one can be more motivating.

‘Making, and sticking to goals is all about finding your first step,’ says Hattie. ‘By step, I mean a small, sustainable, achievable baby step. No big leaps yet.’

She adds: ‘Once you’ve defined your end goal, you can start working backwards to break it down until you figure out what your very first step needs to be.’ 

Think of these as micro-goals you can tick off each day, week and month until you finally reach your ‘end goal.’

Get support to stay motivated

Friends and family can keep you in check while you make your resolutions, according to psychologist Barbara Santini. 

It may give a sense of accountability, which could help stick to your goal,’ she tells Metro.co.uk.

If you want to keep your New Year’s resolutions a one-man mission, then try to make your environment a more supportive place. 

‘Support may also be in the form of positive reinforcements in your room or work station, including having written reminders on the desk, wall, or phone,’ says Barbara.

It’s also important to seek support from people who can motivate you, rather than pulling you away from what you want to do.

Barbara adds: ‘If you want to exercise more, be joined by people with the urge to gain benefits from exercise.

‘Let it not be people who can pull you backwards to your old behaviour.’

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A quarter of people only stick with resolutions until the first week of January.