Setting Smart New Year's Resolutions
Make your New Year’s resolutions stick by setting SMART goals!
It’s that time of year again when we all make our New Year’s resolutions. We use the 1st of January as a symbolic clean slate and promise ourselves to accomplish one, two or, if you’re particularly ambitious, several goals. And, while we start the New Year with the best of intentions, somehow, many of us slowly slide our way back into those old, cosy habits that are as comfortable as a soft, warm blanket on a frosty January morning.
But, in the era of COVID-19 – things are different. Many of us are yearning to live life to the full again – to go about our pre-pandemic lives and start the new, post COVID-19 era. This year, better health, better physical and mental health, feels like the key to the kingdom of full freedom.
Whether you’re trying to get in shape to keep the virus at bay or, committing to being more active in order to help bolster your mental health – making New Year’s goals and sticking to them is (we promise!) achievable. So, make this year different! Set those goals and we’ll help you reach them. We’ll show you how.
Intention is the first step, so if you’re reading this – you already have the right mindset to take action! Now use SMART goals to nail the 'how': S for Specific, M for Measurable, A for Agreed, R for Realistic and T for Time-Based
Specific – you need to set specific goals because everyone is different. Without clear goals, you may never be able to achieve them. Initially, you will know if the goals are obtainable, and you'll be able to find out when you have achieved them!
Measurable – your goals need to be measurable so you can monitor progress and know what else needs to be done. This will help when you need that extra motivation to keep going.
Agreed – you need to agree to your goals so you can commit to them. Write them down - you'll find you're even more committed!
Realistic – be sure to set realistic goals based on resources, knowledge and time. Making impossible goals is a common mistake when talking about New Year’s resolutions. Make your goals realistic and simple – and, if you achieve them early, you can make new goals (or just feel smug)!
Time-Based – setting time-based goals ensures you have a schedule and deadline to work to, so you don't let those goals slip off the radar.
Set specific, measurable, realistic goals with incremental deadlines throughout the year. Perhaps set a goal of losing a stone by the end of the year – it’s a specific amount – one stone. It’s also realistic – 1.16 pounds per month. You can easily measure your progress – and, by setting small, time-based goals of 1.16 pounds per month – before you know it, you’ve lost just under seven pounds by the end of June, 11.6 pounds by October and, a full stone by this time next year!
The next step is the difficult one, the doing! Did you know that 80% of people who make New Year’s resolutions are already off track by February!? Let’s help you join that 20% with two simple tricks:
- Take baby steps as resolutions are usually long term. For example, if your goal is to exercise three times a week and you were completely inactive before, you may want to take up an activity once a week to begin with and increase it to 2/3 times a week as the months go by.
- Tell people! You don’t need to send a major announcement on social media but let a few friends or family members know about your goals so they can help and support you throughout your journey whether it’s moral support or even joining in themselves!
Last thought:
“Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage. But simply because they have never organised their energies around a goal.” – Elbert Hubbard, philosopher, and writer. Good luck!