Every year, I hear "New Year, new me." People talk about resolutions and changes they want to make, but most fall back into old habits or give up within a few weeks. So, how can we be successful if we DO set resolutions or goals for ourselves in the New Year?
- Set SMART goals:
- Specific - say exactly what you're looking to achieve, don't be vague. Ex.: "I want to be able to run a 15-minute mile" rather than "I want to exercise more"
- Measurable - there needs to be a way to measure or gauge your progress.
- Achievable - it needs to be something that you can achieve. Ex.: "I want to be able to run a 15-minute mile" versus "I want to become One Punch Man"
- Realistic/Relevant - it needs to be realistic for you/relevant to your life. Ex.: "I want to be able to run a 15-minute mile to improve my stats as a year-round hobby runner" versus "I want to be able to run a 15-minute mile so I can outrun a bear if I ever run into one"
- Time Bound - give your goal a time limit. For things like New Year's resolutions, this is typically by the end of the year, but you might have a different goal deadline, perhaps a birthday, wedding, anniversary, or other important event.
- Start small - we often get overwhelmed by big changes and this can make us feel like change is impossible, so start small. Goals are made up of steps, so start with the first step and work on making it an easy habit before starting to integrate additional changes; this will make things easier in the long run.
- Don't push yourself - if things feel hard, we're less likely to value the end result or goal. I don't know about you, but I don't like suffering, especially if I know or suspect the change I'm working toward won't last long-term. Make the change you're working toward work for you, make accommodations for yourself so it doesn't feel as difficult, such as finding someone to body double with or habit pair the activity with something else you do regularly.
If you have any tips or tricks for making and sustaining change, please comment below. Good luck with your goals and resolutions, and please feel free to share if you like. Happy New Year!