Be specific
“One of the best things about setting resolutions is eventually achieving them! It’s difficult to gauge how successful you’ve been if your original goal was vague. For example, instead of saying you’ll quit procrastinating, a better plan would be to set a specific goal that you can measure. If you want to procrastinate less, you could vow to only use social media on your breaks, or stop watching Netflix while you work. Come the end of the year this will be a lot easier to evaluate, helping you to recognise when you’ve achieved your goal.” – Kat

Pick one
“Choose one or two resolutions and stick to them – this will more likely lead to success than if you have a list of twenty. You will have something to focus on and it reduces the risk of becoming overwhelmed and giving up. Think of an action plan to make those resolutions happen and look forward to how you will feel when you achieve your goal.” – Miho

Resolutions don’t have to be big milestones
“It can be just as valuable to make small, day-to-day changes to improve your working practices, rather than setting big milestones. This could include making time to tackle some long-ignored tasks (in my case finding out what is actually happening to my student loan!), plus getting into good habits that mean working more effectively, rather than just doing more work.” – Kat

Give yourself some bad-day passes
“Think of resolutions more as mini-marathons than sprints. If you miss a day of Dry January, Veganuary or whatever your creative resolution equivalent may be, don’t worry – you can pick it up the next day. After all, you have 365 days (well, slightly less now) to make it happen. Being resilient and able to bounce back in the face of challenges is a lesson in itself.” – Miho

Find supporters who have your back
“Needless to say, it can be quite a challenge to pursue that dream job or perfect project. Having people on your side to support you throughout your year will not only make the resolution easier to stick to, but also more fun. This was a key reason behind why we set up Rye Here Rye Now, to provide people with an opportunity to discuss the challenges of working in the creative industries with others who understand what they’re going through.” – Miho

Start whenever
“While January might the typical time for a fresh start, if you see something throughout the year that you want to pursue, then why not try it? There are calls for entries at all sorts of exciting jobs, projects, exhibitions and grants happening throughout the year, so it’s never too early or too late to start. Keep an eye on platforms such as Lecture in Progress, If You Could, Design Week, The Dots, Creative Review and other social media for jobs and potential projects.” – Miho

Recognise your limits
“Maybe a ‘do this; stop doing that’ approach isn’t for you. A less cut-and-dry method can feel more manageable, so rather than a list of resolutions, try writing a page of ‘more; less’ goals. One half of the page details things you want to do more of (early nights, shooting film, three-step skincare) and the other side lists things you want to do less of (freelancing in your pyjamas, eating lunch at your desk, deep Insta-stalking). That way you can weed out the bad habits and encourage the good ones over time, until they’re part of your routine.” – Kat

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