New Year’s resolutions starter pack

New Year’s resolutions can be difficult to keep. Most people abandon theirs by February, studies show. So here’s some advice if you’re determined to set — and meet — a goal in 2021.

Here are some great tips from The New York Times writer Ian Prasad Philbrick.

• Make it specific and realistic.

“Resolutions tend to be too big without any thought about whether they are practical or even possible,” says our colleague Tara Parker-Pope. Resolving to “exercise more” is vague, but resolving to add five or 10 minutes to each workout is measurable.

• Go easy on yourself.

If the thought of setting ambitious resolutions feels overwhelming, downsize them into smaller but still satisfying goals. “It’s still important to celebrate that you’re working toward making a positive change,” writes The Times’s Christina Caron.

• Consider turning a positive change from 2020 into a longer-term habit. The pandemic will still shape much of 2021. But even after it ends, you may want to build on new habits you’ve developed, whether it’s cooking healthier meals or devoting more time to self-care. “Those things were all front and center during pandemic life,” Tara says. “We should keep them in post-pandemic life.”

• Find your word of the year. There are different ways you can find yours. Like writing down a list of words you find inspiring and giving them a moment to see which one resonates with you. Or by looking into words from your favorite speakers or from the most inspiring quotes. Choose one to help you guide your decisions this year and go for it!

For 2021 mine is “Perspectives”

Let’s build positive habits in 2021 and beyond. Start today by making gestures of gratitude — like giving larger tips for delivery workers or appreciative texts to friends — a regular part of your day.