Admit it. It’s ok. We’ve all done it. I’m talking about the dreaded New Year’s resolution failure. You dream of success and improvement. Maybe you write it down or share it with friends, but every year, that resolution slowly dims and vanishes from the horizon. You feel defeated. We’ve all been there. No one wants to feel that way. We want to be successful and accomplished. 

The problem is that while many people create a new year’s resolution, they set themselves up for failure before they even begin the journey. These resolutions don’t empower anyone to achieve them. To accomplish a New Year’s Resolution, we need to craft a goal that sets us up for success. Here are six secrets for you to equip to create the best resolution! 

Make your new year’s resolution specific.

Be specific in your dreams. This is the “what, when, and how.” Some examples include… 

• Make 10,000 this year in my side hustle by the end of December 2023.
• Write 750 words in my novel per day.
• Read one book per month. 

Each of these examples highlight a specific goal that tells what we hope to accomplish when we will do it, and how we will do it. Research shows that by creating specific goals, we are 3x more likely to achieve them. 

Make your new year’s resolution measurable.

How do you plan to tell if you’ve accomplished your goal or keep track of it? We can all desire to walk more, but without a measurable goal, it’s hard to know if you’ve succeeded. Adding measurements to our resolutions can help prevent us from going off track or getting distracted. They can also induce feelings of success. We can look back, see how far we’ve come, and be encouraged. 

Going back to the examples above, each goal gives a measurement that can be tracked. A good resolution is something specific and easily measurable. 

Wrangle a Friend to help you accomplish your new year’s resolution.

Things are always better with a friend! Have them craft their own goal that is specific, measurable, and custom to them; that way, you’ll both be empowered to reach it. 

Perhaps your dream is unique among your friend group. Consider getting an accountability partner. If you want to write 750 words daily in your novel, see if anyone in your writing Facebook group will help you stay. Accountability partners are great for support, feedback, and inspiration. If a close friend doesn’t have a similar goal, seek out another individual who’s passionate about the same thing, and join forces!

Can Technology help accomplish your new year’s resolution?

Technology is an excellent tool in our back pocket that we often forget to use. Check to see if there are apps, websites, or programs that could help you accomplish your goal. From tracking business expenses to tracking books read to teaching customized workouts, see if you can utilize technology this year. 

Celebrate your Success.

After you have a specific, measurable goal, select some milestones to reward yourself. Relish your sense of accomplishment. Share it! It’s good to be proud of yourself. By celebrating your wins, you motivate yourself to continue that hard work. 

Make sure you customize!

Don’t adopt a goal or plan that doesn’t work well for you. If you want to work out more but can only do it on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for 30 minutes, don’t select a five-day-a-week workout plan that lasts an hour. Look at your schedule and lifestyle, and create something that challenges you but is still realistic. 

Getting off track with our goals happens, but being persistent and creating good ones from the start matters. Save this list to help you craft the best resolution for 2023! You can do this!

Pictures are treasures. Whether physical or digital, photos have a way of commencing scrolls down memory lane. They ignite fun conversations as you show embarrassing ones to the new fiance. They kindle a longing from the past as you scroll through pictures of your kids when they were young. Laughter can erupt from silly pictures your kids took that you didn’t even know were on your phone. Photos are invaluable. Even if we have ten thousand pictures of our babies, we can’t bring ourselves to delete just one. Snapping a quick shot secures a memory to relive later. 

The winter season presents many opportunities for pictures, but it can be hard to get a good one between the snow, lights, and the bustle of people. In a panic, you rush to take a picture, only to discover that half of the kids have their eyes closed. We’ve all had this happen to us, but don’t miss out on a single memory this season due to a bad picture! From holiday dinners to GameTruck birthday parties, here are seven winter photography tips to help you capture the moment and treasure it for a lifetime. 

Shift your perspective

This powerful winter photography tip can upgrade your pictures to the next level. When we take a picture, our automatic pose is to hold the camera directly in front of us. Consider trying a new perspective. New angles can change the feel of a photo and capture elements that otherwise would not be in the shot. For example, lower angles are great at capturing the landscape in the foreground. 

Take a Bunch!

Why take one picture when you can have ten? If you’ve got a fast-moving subject like a little league game or cute pets, try Burst mode. It’ll take ten pictures per second. Afterward, go through and find the best one.

Bring it in!

Get up close! If you’re trying to capture a smile from opening a present, consider moving closer to the subject, focusing on their face. Bringing your shot in will help you capture emotion and facial features, making this an excellent option for portrait photography. 

Keep it simple

Try this winter photography tip! Simple is truly more. Empty space is our friend, as it can help your subject easily stand out. Too many elements within a picture can overwhelm the eyes and ruin a beautiful shot. 

Use the Volume Button

Blurry photos are a dreaded enemy of moms everywhere. If you have an iPhone, use the Volume Up button to capture a picture. This will help you reduce that blurriness.

Try Portrait Mode

On your phone, select Portrait mode. This creates depth by having an up-close subject against a blurry background.

Pause & Preview

Finally, look at the shot before capturing it if time permits. Remove distracting elements, see what a shifting perspective might do, and try moving closer to the subject. Staging a shot before you take it can drastically increase the quality of your photos. 

Employ these winter photography tips to upgrade your photography for free! Despite the colder weather, winter is a memorable season. It’s a time to celebrate this year’s victories, connect with those in your life, and look forward to the new year. Taking good pictures will help you remember this year, bringing a smile to your face as your scroll through the images on your phone, so don’t let the snow or lights hold you back from capturing the perfect moment! Try one or all of these tips to take your photography skills to the next level!

While the winter season can be a blessing, sometimes it just gets unbearable, leaving everyone trapped inside. This can lead to boredom, feeling antsy, and kids having lots of energy to burn off with no outlet. As winter approaches, it doesn’t hurt to have an “emergency activity” prepared for these days to save yourself from the insanity. Your friends here at GameTruck understand that, so we’ve put together this excellent list of affordable ways to create excitement and memories with your family this season! Take a look at our list!

Video Game Party

Invite your kid’s new classmates over for an exciting memory-building experience they won’t forget. No matter what the weather is like outside, GameTrucks are always the perfect temperature inside. With hundreds of games to choose from, classics and new releases, your kid will love deepening their friendship with new and old friends. Call your local GameTruck today to book your fall party! 

Maple Syrup & Ugly Sweaters (Dec. 17th)

Did you know that December 17th is National Ugly Sweater and National Maple Syrup Day? If you’re looking for a fun, cheap entertainment idea, try an Ugly Sweater Pancake Party! Buy or decorate your own ugly sweaters, and make your favorite pancakes. Ask your friends and family to vote on their favorite ugly sweater!

Write a Letter to Someone

Everyone loves receiving stuff in the mail – except bills. Your kids can learn a lost skill and brighten a relative’s or friend’s day by writing and mailing a letter to someone.  

Plan a Vacation

Have your kids put on their tour guide hats and plan the coolest vacation. Dreaming is a great escape from the frigid winds and blustering flurries. Allow them to design an itinerary or a brochure advertising their vacation. Combine that research and creativity for an enjoyable and educational experience. 

Fitness Fun

No gym membership? No problem! Find tons of free kid-focused workout routines online with Google, Pinterest, or Youtube. They get to burn off that energy while learning about a healthy lifestyle. 

Create & Perform a Play

Tailor this idea to fit your child’s interests. Writing the script, creating the set, acting, and directing all can be explored in this event. Let your child explore their creative side with the dramatic arts in a fun, laid-back way that the whole family and extended family can enjoy. 

Do an Art or Science Kit

Learning can and should be fun! Grab an art or science kit you know your child will love and do it with them. These kits can be found online or in most stores. Go on a learning or creative journey with your kid to learn alongside them. 

Bake a Recipe

Cooking with your kids is a great way to build new memories and teach them life skills. These kid-friendly, cookbook-styled blogs are to the point with no long backstories, ads, or pop-ups.

Fun Recipes for your Kids to Make this Summer

3 Fun and Kid-Friendly Fall Recipes You Need to Try

Thrifted Costume 

Have some family fun with thrifty at your favorite second-hand stores. This idea is great for creating fun memories, affordability, and spontaneous Ness. Before you start, decide on a budget. How much is each person allowed to spend on their costume? Next, decide if you want to do special categories like the 80s or leave it open for imagination. Then head to your favorite stores. Be sure to take lots of pictures to post on social media to have friends and family vote for the costume they think is the best and the silliest. 

The winter season can be a blessing and a curse at the same time, but don’t let those frigid temperatures keep your family from having an awesome winter! Try an idea off our list, customize it, and beat the boredom!