Well, it’s that time of year again, time to make unrealistic goals for the new year, bail two weeks in and beat yourself up about it for the rest of the year. Sticking with a resolution can be exhausting, frustrating and just plain overwhelming, but “New Year, New Me” doesn’t have to be a joke shared between friends on the internet, and resolutions do not have to be inaccessible.
Three main reasons new year’s resolutions fall through are that;
- The resolution is created based on what someone else (or society) is telling you to change.
- It’s too vague.
- Or you don’t have a realistic plan for achieving your resolution.
By keeping these things in mind you can make healthy, attainable goals that last all year using these tips.
Utilize the SMART Goal setting technique:
Specific – Your goal or resolution should be well-defined, and clear. Make a concrete goal, rather than saying “I want to lose weight.” give your resolution quantity and a timeline, “I want to lose 30 lbs in 4 months.”
Measurable – It should have specific trackable criteria. Using a journal to track progress can help reinforce the progress. Making it tangible, it can help hold you accountable.
Achievable – Achievable does not mean that you cannot make big goals, it means that you should break them into smaller more manageable pieces. If your goal is to buy a house, maybe start by saving fifty dollars a pay cheque and saving up for a down payment. By chipping away at smaller goals that build up to a larger goal you can avoid getting discouraged.
Relevant – If your resolution is not something that is important to you, it is very unlikely you will succeed. Most resolutions set out of self-hate, remorse or strong passion don’t usually last long. So when setting a resolution be sure to choose something pertinent to your life and where you are right now.
Time-Bound – Having a clear time-frame is essential for goals that stick. Give yourself enough time to accomplish your goal without dragging it out so long that you lose the motivation or momentum. Additionally by setting a deadline it creates a sense of urgency.
Create a plan:
After choosing your resolution it’s time to figure out how to get from point A to point B. One of the easiest ways to succeed at a resolution is to split it up into chunks. Look at your goal and figure out what the issue is or why you are making the resolution. Think about how changing this will affect your life and how it will make you feel. And list small steps you can take to succeed at your goal.
Resolution: “I want to spend less time on my phone.”
Problem: “I feel isolated when I spend too much time on my phone.”
Reward: “I will have more time for the things I enjoy and will feel more connected.”
Steps:
1 – Replace the bad habit with something. Such as, doing yoga, reading a book, or taking a walk.
2 – Track your phone usage in a journal to keep yourself accountable.
Post your goals where you can see them:
Whether you believe in affirmations, visualization and vision boards or not you cannot deny that by seeing your goals everyday you will keep them at the top of your mind. When we write down our goals and then close the notebook, weeks go by without ever seeing or revisiting them. You are more likely to succeed if you are reminded of your goal everyday.
Finally, if you fail, don’t quit! Starting from scratch is not a negative thing, situations pop up everyday that knock us off our track and you should never be ashamed of getting back up if you fall off the horse. People tend to be unkind to themselves when setting and attempting resolutions, which is a great way to delay progress and to make yourself feel awful about yourself.
So, this year as you ring in the New Year, take some time to reflect on what you want in the upcoming year. Set your goals. Write them down and divide them into manageable bite-sized pieces and start chipping away. And don’t forget to celebrate your wins no matter how small.
We love hearing your stories! If you make a New Years Resolutions be sure to share it here! Happy New Year!!!
Taylor Raymond
Branding Coordinator
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