I've noticed a big trend lately that makes me a little sad... I've had conversations about it (mainly with my fitness buddies), it's all over Facebook, Twitter, and other people's blogs... and that is how dumb new year's resolutions are! Most people generally make them and have high hopes for the year and all their dreams and goals, whether it's to stick with an exercise regimen, get that promotion at work, or be more organized around the house, people often feel the new year is a great time to take stock and envision where they want to go next. What the heck is the matter with this? Shouldn't we be encouraging people to join gyms, work harder, strive for the life they dream of instead of poo-pooing it and saying things like "I don't believe in new year's resolutions - goals need to be made year round"? But, this is just what I'm hearing - many highly goal-oriented people turning up their noses to making 'new year's resolutions' and saying people should be making goals throughout the year and that people's new year's resolutions tend to be forgotten by February. OK, give people a break... instead of crushing people's good intentions, why not encourage goal setting (any time of year, even at the start of the year!) and help people who may need help follow through on those goals they set Jan. 1! I set all sorts of goals in all areas of my life throughout the year, but I love the freshness of a new year to really get me going on big planning for the upcoming year. I love to look back at goals I set for the previous year, congratulate myself on what I made happen, think about why some goals may not have been achieved yet, and start a whole new list (which I usually make public here on my blog to hold me extra accountable). I am in the midst of working on mine right now and totally excited for everyone else who is ready to make 2012 their best year yet!!! Get excited people - if you decide it's gonna be great, it will!!!
Here are some tips on making new year's resolutions and following through:
Set your goals
- Write them down! There's so much more power in having all your goals written down officially, rather than just half-baked thoughts in your head!
- I like to make various sections/pages/whatever works for you of goals for different parts of my life (work, family, home, fitness, money, self, etc.)
- On each of these I make a few big goals (for example, on my 'fitness' page, I might put "I will lose 20 pounds by April 1."
- Then an important step a lot people don't do after making a goal is breaking the big goal down into little steps or goals so it's do-able. For this one, I would put under it, - 30 minutes cardio in the morning 5 days/week, - weight train 4 times/week - stick to my healthy meal plan, - lose 2 pounds/week and keep track of progress on a calendar, etc.
Make your Goals SMART!
- Specific
- Measureable
- Attainable
- Realistic (this is debatable - ha ha - I like to be a little unrealistic!)
- Timely
- Make sure to write your goals in an affirmative way (for example, I WILL... or I AM..., not I will try to... or I want to...) Make them powerful!
- Write your goals in a positive way, use 'I will eat healthy meals', not 'I will not eat any junk food'. Avoid negatives like won't, not, no, bad, etc.
Don't forget your goals!
- Make cards with your goals written in a strong affirmative manner (I WILL... or I AM...) and put them anywhere you look a lot (bathroom mirror, car, wallet, fridge, front door, etc.) When you see them really let them resonate with you and say them aloud a few times.
- Make a vision board of all your goalsand dreams for the new year! Cut out images, phrases, etc. from magazines, newspapers, or off the computer that show your goals/dreams, make a collage out of them on a big board, then display it in a prominent place that will make you remember what you are working towards this year! I have often had vision board-making get-togethers with friends and students which are fun!
- Tell everyone you can about your goals! I like to shout mine from the rooftops, but if you're a more private person, you could just tell a select few encouraging close friends or family members your goals and make sure they know to check back in with you on how you are doing periodically!
Reward yourself for large and small goals met!
- set up an official reward scheme, for example if you manage to eat clean for a full week, treat yourself to a pedicure. Make sure to write down what you get and when so you have that to look forward to and get that positive reinforcement to a new way of living! I will write a whole blog post soon on reward ideas and how to reward yourself for goals met!
Most of all GET EXCITED about the prospect of a new year and new goals that you WILL make happen! No matter what happened in the past, or how many times you've tried for a goal, do not have any doubt in your mind that you WILL achieve your greatest dreams now! Throw yourself wholeheartedly into your new life and enjoy!!!
