Avoiding a New Year’s Resolution? Read on…
How many times have you set a goal or made a New Year’s resolution and given up or even forgotten about the whole thing? Is there any point to making a New Year’s resolution? And why is so difficult to keep working toward them?
It’s not brain science. The reason New Year’s resolutions can be difficult is that they add a layer of unreality to your already busy life. They also add new expectations on top of your established daily routines.
Want to totally rock your year with a new resolution? Follow these three simple steps:
First, start slow. Big plans and new ideas often fail to become reality due to unrealistic expectations. You can always increase your efforts, but if you burn out, you’ll quit and feel like a failure without creating your best opportunity for success. For example, instead of getting up an hour earlier each day for your new side hustle, start with getting up five minutes earlier and gradually increase your time.
Second, take time to plan. How will you incorporate your nifty new goal into your life? By creating new routines for yourself, you’ll be on your way to making your new resolution part of your lifestyle instead of an unrealistic dream that floats away on a gusty breeze.
The key to planning is being realistic about your time as well as the time of day you choose to focus on your resolution. Watch the following video for insights about willpower and planning your time.
Last, make your goals measurable. You can’t define success if your resolution is just a thought. I’m going to be more positive, eat healthier, be happier...
Making your resolution measurable means coming up with a way to quantify it. For example, if you want to eat healthier, plan healthy meals two times each week for the first month and then bump it up to three times each week. If it’s exercise, then plan the type of exercise, amount of time spent exercising and the number of times each week. Want to be more positive? Plan the number of books you will read each month, the number of positive quotations you will surround yourself with each day, the number of positive movies you will watch, the times during each day you will spend focusing on/reminding yourself to check your thinking for positive mental thoughts, etc.,
Try these suggestions to bring a fresh twist to goal-setting for a new year, new you:
Losing weight: Want to lose weight? Don’t diet. Instead, set aside time ONE day each week to plan your meals and time for exercise. What meals will you cook? Which meals will you eat out? What is your budget? Which veggies will you include? Which substitutions will you make? When will you exercise? How? Where? In short, be the BOSS of your weight loss plan and take charge by planning the HOW. By giving yourself time to plan, you’ll be on your way to making this resolution part of your lifestyle instead of a failed attempt.
Saving money: Want to save more money/have more money? Who doesn’t? But how are you going to do that? Before determining how much money you’ll save each month, make a budget of your expenses. Then, decide where you will trim expenses. Instead of breakfast and lunch on-the-go, how about taking time to plan some fast, easy meals you can make at home instead of eating out? For more budgeting tips, read the The Listening Pineapple post, “Two Easy Budget Tips That Will Save You Money”. Remember, make budgeting part of your lifestyle. Review your budget, talk about it with your partner or even your dog, but be honest with yourself and track your money. Without tracking your money, you’ll wonder where it went instead of knowing what you’re doing with it.
Exercise: Want to get in shape? Who doesn’t? But YOU are going to be the envy of your co-workers because YOU are going to create a different lifestyle. Right? Say, yes! And then take time to plan it. What is your exercise goal? (TIP: DON’T start out exercising every day if you don’t already exercise regularly. The goal is a new lifestyle not burnout! Also, make sure you are healthy enough for your exercise goals. See your doctor first.) Start with a manageable time. For example, if you get an elliptical machine, start with five minutes and increase your time after three successful days.
More Family time: Want a closer family with more laughs around the kitchen table and time spent making memories? Gather the family, brainstorm a wish list, prioritize it, and determine the number of times each week or month everyone will commit to checking an item off the family bucket list. Another idea is to set aside time for meals. Determine which meals work best. Will it be a simple breakfast or perhaps delicious dinners are a better fit for your family’s schedule. Then, determine the number of realistic times each week you can eat together. Planning family meals together will increase the fun as well as the commitment. Have a family favorite? Make every Thursday night lasagna night, for example.
For more ideas on being the boss of your habits in order to succeed, watch the following video:
How do you plan to totally rock your New Year’s Resolution? Leave a comment. We would love to hear your strategies and success stories!