New Year’s Resolutions are a popular way to start the year with a fresh perspective and a new set of goals. However, the issue with New Year’s resolutions is that they are often made without a clear plan of action and lack a commitment to change. Change is more than just word. Change requires time, effort, and dedication to promote the chance of success. I write this blog 15 days into the new year. This time is when 80% to 90% of New Year resolutions go back to being ideals. Why is that? Resolutions need time. We make them because there are problems we have that we wish we could speak out of existence. We have no such power.
One alternative to New Year’s resolutions is to set SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This approach helps to break down larger goals into smaller, more manageable steps that can be tracked and measured over time. For example, instead of setting a goal to lose weight, a SMART goal would be to lose 10 pounds in 3 months by exercising for 30 minutes a day and eating a balanced diet. This approach provides a clear plan of action and a timeline for achieving the goal. Compare that to overeating from late November through New Year’s Day, then telling yourself from that day you will stop overeating, work out more, and lose weight in the process. The ease of stating that compared to the work needed to make it so is so vast it only takes two weeks to become clear to us. This approach is a setup for failure. SMART goals are worth a try going forward.
Another alternative to New Year’s resolutions is to focus on creating healthy habits. Habits are behaviors that are repeated regularly and tend to occur subconsciously. Focusing on creating healthy habits enables lasting changes that will improve your overall well-being. For example, instead of setting a goal to stop eating junk food, focus on creating a habit of eating a piece of fruit every day. Baby steps are not considered wins, but compounded they create a snowball effect. Small positive improvement on top of small positive improvement becomes a large change. This approach is more sustainable and leads to long-term success. Most of us are not patient because we see the results all around us. We don’t consider the work that went into the results we see. We see people at the finish line. We want to find a portal to warp to that spot. Working on getting the portal mindset out of our thoughts should be step one if creating better habits is the approach you feel may be best for you.
In closing, New Year’s resolutions can be a great way to start the year with a fresh perspective and a new set of goals. However, it is vital to remember that change is more than just words and requires time, effort, and dedication to promote the chance of success. Setting SMART goals and incorporating healthy habits into your life can make lasting changes improving your overall well-being. It’s never too late to start making positive changes in your life. There is also no need to wait until the new year comes around again. Get started now.
Food for Thought. You do the dishes!
