With the new year officially here, I can’t keep myself from thinking about my goals for the year ahead. It was fun to revisit the post I wrote a few years ago about this subject. So much has changed!
I saw a statistic that only 30% of people make resolutions for the new year. However, I love looking at each new year as a fresh start. It’s a great way to reset your mind and move forward. Every January, I buy new running shoes and use my old pair for puttering around in the garden. That feels good for more than the reason that they needed replacing anyway. They’re worn out from use, and that is money well spent! I also treated myself to some new makeup and didn’t feel bad about it. These little rewards are a nice pick me up and also hold me accountable to use what I have without buying new things all the time. The new running shoes need to be worn and used often this year and so does my new makeup!
And Now For the Tough Love Part of Resolutions
Let’s be honest, though; resolutions are hard to keep. To be successful, it’s essential to also be mindful. It’s not just about writing down what you’d like to accomplish or change, but also creating a plan of action to make them achievable. I like to refer to resolutions as goals. Every time I failed to make a goal, it was one hundred percent because I didn’t carve out a step-by-step plan to accomplish it. Not because the goal was unachievable. Keeping your resolutions means you have to commit to your goals. Sometimes, that means putting in the time and effort even on days when you don’t want to. When you skip a day or fall off the wagon even one time, it’s easy to throw in the towel and just give up.
You also lose your way when you forget the “why”, the reason you chose to work toward your goal in the first place. I once heard someone say the hardest day to pick yourself back up is the day after you fail on your promise or commitment, and I agree. But you can always start over, and that’s what I hold onto.
How to Make Your Resolutions Stick
Identify Roadblocks to Your Goals
Modern culture is all about self-acceptance. I can get behind that mindset, but I also think it’s important to acknowledge the need for self-improvement. Resolutions and goal setting are all about change. Nobody is perfect, after all!
So before you settle on a sky-high goal like running a marathon, for example, don’t sabotage yourself by ignoring critical obstacles. Take some time to journal things you may struggle with to meet your goal, no matter what it is. You mustn’t berate yourself, but at the same time, don’t hold back. These should be the things to focus on if you’re going to complete that half marathon and be smiling at the finish line. For example, perhaps you know you lack personal discipline and will need a running buddy to encourage you. Or you have time commitments that may impact your training time. No matter the goal, make sure you note the conditions that may keep you from being successful.
Get to Work on Your Resolutions
Now that you’ve listed a goal or resolution (or a few!), it’s time to put a success plan in action. Below are a few ideas, using my half marathon example as a reference. Use your success plan to think through several scenarios that may impede your progress.
- I will register for a half marathon now, giving myself ample training time of several months. I hate wasting money so paying for it now will keep me accountable.
- I worry that I will give up on my goal. Therefore, I will ask a friend who runs if I can run with him or her before or after work. If I can’t find someone with a compatible schedule, I will join a running club to keep me motivated.
- I will let family and friends know of my half marathon goal so they can support and encourage me
Think Ahead to Avoid Derailing
Know that there will be tough days ahead and you will need to push through to make your resolution a reality. No matter what your resolution is, the goal needs to be kept front and center to be a success. The day it snows three inches when you need to run six miles doesn’t mean you don’t run six miles. This is where you need to be flexibly inflexible. Can you push your timeframe to run to later in the day when the snow has had a chance to melt? Do you need to run indoors instead? Try to imagine every roadblock possible and a solution.
Reward Yourself Along the Way
Negative self-talk is the worst way to sabotage your goals. Don’t fall victim to this. Once you’ve made it through Day 1, celebrate. Journal how you feel and reward yourself along the way. Using the half marathon example again, perhaps you purchase a new dri-fit shirt after two weeks of following a training schedule. Then set your next reward for your next milestone. Make each reward something tangible and something you can get excited about.
Go for the Goals!
It’s a brand new year. Resolutions don’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. Whether you want to clean up your diet, learn a new language, save up for a vacation, or just drink more water, make this another year to celebrate. Follow these guidelines and know that you CAN do it.
Feel free to download my handy worksheet here so you can keep your resolutions front and center, and know that, no matter what they are, you can bet I’ll be rooting for you!
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