Resolutions....fail

Today is January 12 - do you know where your New Year Resolutions are? If you're like more than half the population, you've already begun to slip in those industrious plans. By February 1 more than 83% of all resolutions have failed. Why? Because you didn't really plan those changes. You most likely didn't set up an accountability structure in order to help you be successful. Resolutions are hopes we have for a better life - general statements that are made at the beginning of the new year. "I want to get in shape." "I want to lose weight". "I want to eat better/drink less/exercise more/be more organized...." But with no goal to get to that end result, how do we expect to succeed?

As Estée Lauder said, "All good things begin with a plan". Not just any old plan, but a well thought out and organized goal - a SMART goal. Writing goals is more than just "I want to lose 10 pounds" you need to have steps to make that happen. It won't occur on it's own and it DEFINITELY won't occur with a pill, supplement, crash diet or any of the other "get thin quick" posts that are floating on social media this month. How are you planning to lose those 10 pounds? What steps will you take to make it happen? When do you want to lose those 10 pounds by? How will you measure your progress? Most importantly, why is this relevant to you - and how will you sustain it long term? It may seem like a simple answer, but if it were so easy Americans wouldn't spend over $30 billion dollars a year on quick results. What is a SMART goal and how do we create one?

You must be Specific in your objective; it must be Measurable; something Attainable - you know you can achieve it; Relevant - is this in line with your overall big picture; and Timely - an end date for achievement.

In looking at weight loss, a 10 pound loss over a few months, by combining healthy eating habits and exercise is attainable. Understanding how this fits in with your big picture is important in recognizing if it is sustainable. Is this part of an overall plan to live a more healthy lifestyle? Give yourself some grace! We are human and completely eliminating a nightly glass of wine or never eating dessert is most likely not something that will be sustainable long term. Instead, consider it a treat two times a week. If you are going to dinner with friends on a Thursday, have that dessert, then only once over the weekend. If you have not been exercising, consider starting with 30 minutes three to five times a week rather than expecting to be in the gym for an hour every single day.

Then it's time to get started. Think about being successful and knowing you can complete your goal than to worry about whether you will fail. I know I have shared before that FAIL is really just your First Attempt In Learning. By creating measurable action steps to complete, it is easy to see where you need to redirect your focus. If you have made a conscious decision to achieve this goal, then a slight misstep won't completely derail you from the end result. Your goals should be a permanent and sustainable change you wish to make in yourself - your whole self. So sit down and set those goals. I'd love to know where you want to head in 2023! Happy New Year - may this be the best one yet!