How do you keep your New Years Resolutions in 2021?

Even though everything changed this year - one thing remained relatively the same: your New Years Resolutions probably didn't become reality. Of course COVID-10 is partially to blame for this, but certain resolutions could have been kept, even this year. How do you make sure you keep the ones you make for 2021? In this article, you'll find pandemic-proof tips by Global Knowledge.

The loyal reader of our newsletters might have a dejà-vu reading this article. 'Keeping my New Years Resolutions? Didn't I read about that last year?' That's correct, last year Global Knowledge gave you tips to keep your new years resolutions. But these tips might not work so well this year around.

Because of the pandemic, these tips became outdated. Your colleague is not able to slap the cigarette from your hand, because we need to keep 1.5 meters of distance at all times (this does give interesting possibilities with a reacher-grabber or a stick, but you won't make fans doing that). You probably won't end up climbing Everest in 2021 (no, not even if you've done daily walks since the pandemic started) and you will also celebrate your victories differently if you don't see your colleagues every day. So new tips to keep your resolutions are required.

So without further a-do Global Knowledge presents the New Years Resolutions Tips For The New Normal. Enjoy!

1. Make Covid-10 proof resolutions

Make sure you make resolutions the pandemic can't get in the way of. You can learn a new language next year - but planning a soul searching trip across Italy might not be the greatest idea when you never know when the borders might close again.

Don't just take the rules into account when writing your resolutions, also think about your mental heath. Running 10 km every day isn't a great resolutions if there is weeks the only distance you can be motivated to run, is the one from your coach to the cookie cupboard. So start slowly, with a weekly run for example, and build up from there. Or find a running buddy, that's a good way to stay motivated.

You can also make sure your training course planning is pandemic proof. If you want to get your Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect certification in 2021, you can plan your training courses in the Virtual Classroom. That way, you make sure you can attend your training courses, even when you have to isolate or stay in quarantine. Various exams are also available from home. Learn more about that in this article.

2. Don't be too hard on yourself

Weight gain because of isolation was a big thing this year - the word comfort food got a whole new meaning in 2020. The pizza delivery guy constantly had to drop off deliveries at the house of the writer of this article.

Eating might make you feel good while doin it - especially when there is nothing else to do - but the results of all that eating on your body aren't at all great. By going for a long walk, a run or a ride on your bike, you feel lots better. When you move, your brain makes endorphins - and endorphins make you happy.

However, don't make it too difficult for yourself. Motivation is hard to find in a pandemic - get inspired by the Not To Do List by de Volkskrant. You won't have to become an Olympic athlete in isolation - just make sure you move for at least 30 minutes every day. Leave the bag of chips in the cupboard and go for a walk instead. Or eat half the bag, instead of finishing it. Baby steps!

3. Invest in things that give you energy

2020 wasn't the year to push yourself through a training course you weren't looking forward to to begin with - don't do this in 2021 either. If baking bread in isolation frustrated you in 2020 - don't try again next year. Try something else - something that gives you energy.

This also applies to the training course you're attending. Maybe you already know this - it's important to learn about something useful, but make sure you learn something you find interesting and that gives you some new energy and perspective too. Don't force yourself to sit through a AWS training course if your head is not in the game - you won't remember what you've learned.

No, choose a training course that gives you the knowledge you need, but that you find interesting and fun too. If you do this, the knowledge will stick after the training course is finished. At Global Knowledge, you will find plenty of training courses to pick from, so there is always something to lift your spirits. Check out the full catalogue on this page.

4. Celebrate your successes (you might have to be a bit creative

It's not possible to visit a restaurant when you've passed your DASA DevOps Coach certification - so you have to be more creative when you want to celebrate your wins. Because it's crucial to celebrate if you want your resolutions to stick. By giving yourself a treat after working hard, you stay motivated.

So order food from your favorite restaurant - and, if you have the space - invite a good friend or colleague at home to celebrate your exam with. Treat yourself to a must-have from one of your favorite stores or do a little celebratory dance in your living room.

Will we see you in 2021?

In 2021, Global Knowledge still has your back. You can find all the (online) training courses that are guaranteed to run in 2021 on our website. Curious? Check the guaranteed to run courses out via the button below.

_{The following sources were used for this article: De Morgen}