With the holiday and New Year’s celebrations behind us, it’s only natural to feel a tinge of regret over abandoning healthy living and eating during this time. Also, starting the New Year may also trigger some self-reflection over what wasn’t accomplished in the past year. The idea of making a few New Year’s Resolutions may come to mind.
Unfortunately, for all the good intentions, recent statistics report only 8% achieve their New Year’s Resolutions. This statistic isn’t so surprising on the face of it. Changing behavior and re-prioritizing lifestyle choices is difficult in the first place. But, you can improve this sad statistic!
Here are 5 action tips that can move you from further regret to renewal as you start the New Year seeking to rebuild a better you or to accomplish that goal that slipped by!
Keep it Simple!
It’s easy to go overboard with a long list of changes driven by emotion. Give this mental exercise some thought and prioritize the list, selecting the top one or two resolutions that are important to you, balanced by your best thinking!
Write it SMART!
Many resolutions fail because not enough effort is put into this action. A well written resolution captures these 5 elements: Specific, Measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound, or SMART. Using the SMART approach can help in reaching your resolution by clarifying and focusing your effort. For example, applying SMART to the resolution,” I will lose weight”, would look something like, “I will lose 10 pounds by April 1, by going to the gym on Monday, Wednesday and Friday after work and engage in moderate exercise for a minimum of 50 minutes”.
Talk it Up!
Share your resolution with those around you who can be supportive. You’ll find that communicating your goals to others naturally increases motivation and commitment. Procrastination is one of the big hurdles in accomplishing any goal. Talking up your SMART resolution moves it from a private, more easily put off idea, to an invested commitment promised not only to yourself, but others who want your success too!
Cue it Up!
Find visual images of the resolution and paste it up on your bathroom mirror, work space or refrigerator. Program your cell phone or computer to provide affirmations and reminders of what you have set for yourself. Keeping the resolution “top of mind” in your life space is the idea here!
Keep it Up!
Motivation often slips after a few weeks because of setting perfectionistic expectations that build disappointment when the mark is missed. Cut yourself some slack. If you don’t meet a deadline or exactly follow a schedule, give yourself permission to reorganize or adjust to the realities of your life. Don’t let “flexibility failure” become the excuse to give up. Hang in there!
Let go of perfection and focus on the idea of performance and persistence over the longer term. Resolutions are better framed as a winding marathon than a straight out sprint!
May you have a successful resolution in the New Year!