Dec 27 2012
Are Your New Year’s Resolutions Real Goals or Just Ideas?
Here we go again! Following the end of Christmas week, the talk of New Year’s Resolutions begins in earnest. We all know how those ambitious resolutions turn out by the time February rolls around. The ideas have been abandoned and we are back to business as usual.
People who make resolutions usually tie their self improvement to weight loss, exercise plans or new diet theme. Whatever your ideas for renewal are in the coming year, maybe resolving less could mean more.
I am not opposed setting goals for self improvement. In fact, goal setting is the foundation of achievement. But when clients share their health and wellness plans with me, I hear the same vague resolutions over and over again: lose weight, exercise more, start eating healthy, etc. These are not goals, but rather ideas of what someone thinks they “should” do. Without a clear plan these ideas remain just that…ideas.
Why not turn your “resolutions” into something tangible that could actually reward you with results? Here are some examples of what I mean:
- Resolution: Eat healthier Tangible goal: Eat two pieces of fresh fruit every day
- Resolution: Lose weight Tangible goal: Bring my lunch to work 4 times weekly instead of buying out
- Resolution: Exercise more Tangible goal: Walk on my treadmill for 20 minutes Mon-Wed-Friday at 4pm
Goals look different than simple ideas because they are SMART (Specific-Measurable-Action Based-Realistic-Time Oriented). Each of the resolutions now has a real, but simple action that could ultimately move you closer to what you want to achieve. Make goals small and simple so you feel a sense of accomplishment every step of the way.
This is what lifestyle change is all about. I know it does not seem as exciting as starting something bold or new, but it’s the stuff that success is made of. Turn your big ideas into small tangible goals and by next year, you will have lived up to your resolutions!
May the New Year bring you happiness, health, and wellness!
