Happy New Year!!! Don’t Abandon Your Resolutions.
It’s a new year. A time for new beginnings, new hopes, new goals. Many people will begin 2017 with New Year Resolutions. Some common resolutions are:
- Losing weight/ getting fit
- Quit smoking
- Learn something new
- Travel
- Get out of debt and save money
- Spend more time with family and friends
- Be less stressed
- Volunteer
If you are like me you may begin each January with some of these lofty goals but fall short by the end of the month. I have decided to resolve a plan to retain my resolutions. I will begin with three important questions.
- Are my goals obtainable?
- What are the barriers to obtaining my goals?
- What is my step by step plan?
Let’s look at our list of resolutions. All are important to having a good quality of life. But some of the goals may not be as readily obtainable as others. If you have a goal to travel more but have not, and decided to focus on the more important goal of getting out of debt and saving money, you may be setting yourself up for failure. It is important to prioritize your goals so your end result is success and a sense of accomplishment. My suggestion is to take one or two goals at a time and create a clear action plan that will allow you to monitor your progress and move forward. If we are not careful in planning, our intentions can lead to overwhelmed feelings and increased anxiety. We then become disillusioned with the process and give up. We must also be honest about the barriers we face in obtaining our goals and set up safe guards to address these barriers. For example, if exercising and getting fit are your goals and you know you quickly lose motivation to do so, exercise with a work out buddy. You may enjoy spending time with friends and family but hate to workout. Combine two of your resolutions by asking your friend or family member to join you in your regular workout routine. This may increase your level of motivation and help you obtain two very important goals.
Ultimately the key to avoiding New Year Resolution abandonment is to be proactive in your planning. Don’t give up on your goals. Remember why you chose these goals in the beginning. Above all else be patient in the process.
Wishing you the best 2017!
Author – Alicia Lurry