2015 could be the year you actually achieve your new year’s resolution.
Here are 10 tips to get you there.
- Set the right goal. Your goal could be “lose 20 pounds” but is that REALLY what you need to do? Or do you need to lower your cholesterol or fit back into your size 6 jeans? Think about what you really want or need and then set a goal that aligns with that.
- Narrow your goal(s). If you have five new year’s resolutions, that could be a lot of pressure on yourself. Pick one, or if you must, two. Make sure they don’t conflict and that they are specific (ex. “save 10% more,” not just “save money”).
- Make SMART goals. The SMART acronym often used in business stands for specific, measurable, achievable, results-oriented and time-bound. This ties back to having the right, focused goals but also emphasizing the results and giving yourself a deadline or timetable.
- Set milestones. If your goal is too big, it can be overwhelming so set milestone goals along the way. Going to the gym five days a week every week is a little scary. But going three times a week this month, four times a week by the spring and five times a week by the fall doesn’t seem so bad.
- Use positive reinforcement. Figure out in advance how you can reward yourself. Too often we reward ourselves with something that contradicts our goal, like a brownie after you lose five pounds. That makes the goal feel negative and the “bad” behavior seem positive. For health related goals, consider new clothes (in a size smaller!) or an active day trip (like hiking) that highlight the benefits of your improved health.
- Mentally prepare for diversions. Using our gym example, go ahead and make note of the few weeks when going five times just won’t happen. Come up with an acceptable alternative – maybe you can’t go to the gym while you are on vacation but you can take the kids on a walk every day. Or just acknowledge that it is merely a small detour, not a fail.
- Accept unexpected diversions. I think this is what throws most people, myself included, off more than anything. You miss one day or one week and then say “screw it; I already messed up.” But we can’t do that! Accept that sick kids, business trips, weddings, whatever will get in the way and you’ll miss a step here and there. That’s fine; just get back in the horse the next day.
- Make a success plan. Think of what you need to do to reach your goal and start setting yourself up for success. A few years ago my resolution was to use my reuseable grocery bags. I realized I was never using them because I always forgot them at home. So I put them in the trunk of my car. I immediately started using them more and slowly it became second nature.
- Get your friends and family on board. It will be so much easier to reach your goals if the people who love you support them. This doesn’t mean they have to do them with you, but they can at least not tempt you. If your goal is to save money, your girlfriends can help by sharing their closet with you and not suggesting shopping sprees every weekend.
- Remember, you are AWESOME. You rock. You are a loving mom and a kick-butt woman. Your new year’s resolution doesn’t need to overhaul you. It’s just making the already awesome you a little more awesome.
For 2015, I have landed on two resolutions: to take my multi-vitamin at least five days per week and to read a book per month. Hopefully by taking my own advice, I can knock them both out of the park.
What are you doing to make your new year’s resolution a reality?
