*BIG PICTURE
Think about long-term goals you have set or items you have on your bucket list. For instance, I’d like to see a game in every MLB stadium, so each year my resolution is to cross off 1 new stadium from the list. This is a great place to start when thinking of Resolutions.
Think about long-term goals you have set or items you have on your bucket list. For instance, I’d like to see a game in every MLB stadium, so each year my resolution is to cross off 1 new stadium from the list. This is a great place to start when thinking of Resolutions.
*WHOLE-SELF-IMPROVEMENT
Most resolutions are made in an effort to make the resolver better in some way, usually physically. But think beyond just weight loss and diet: What fears do you want to overcome? Resolve to lead a meeting at work to overcome a fear of speaking in public. Is there a skill you want to develop further? Take a class/workshop. Do you tend to resent the predictability of life? Try something new this year.
As you create your resolutions, think of the whole person. How can you improve your life mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially, socially? Think of ALL of these areas when creating your list.
Most resolutions are made in an effort to make the resolver better in some way, usually physically. But think beyond just weight loss and diet: What fears do you want to overcome? Resolve to lead a meeting at work to overcome a fear of speaking in public. Is there a skill you want to develop further? Take a class/workshop. Do you tend to resent the predictability of life? Try something new this year.
As you create your resolutions, think of the whole person. How can you improve your life mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially, socially? Think of ALL of these areas when creating your list.
*GET REAL
Set reasonable and attainable goals. For instance, while I’d love to travel to 5 new places this year (a previous New Year’s resolution), it’s just not going to happen in 2013 if I also plan on having a baby in April (which I do). Don’t set yourself up for failure by reaching beyond your means. Losing 20 pounds in a year is reasonable for most people; losing 200 probably isn’t. If you want to see all 50 States or lose 200lbs, break down the big goal into something you can actually accomplish this year. Also, don’t resolve to do something that is out of your control. For instance, I never put on my Resolution List “get pregnant” because I know that ultimately I cannot control that and having it on my list would only make me more depressed when December came and it just didn’t happen for me that year.
Set reasonable and attainable goals. For instance, while I’d love to travel to 5 new places this year (a previous New Year’s resolution), it’s just not going to happen in 2013 if I also plan on having a baby in April (which I do). Don’t set yourself up for failure by reaching beyond your means. Losing 20 pounds in a year is reasonable for most people; losing 200 probably isn’t. If you want to see all 50 States or lose 200lbs, break down the big goal into something you can actually accomplish this year. Also, don’t resolve to do something that is out of your control. For instance, I never put on my Resolution List “get pregnant” because I know that ultimately I cannot control that and having it on my list would only make me more depressed when December came and it just didn’t happen for me that year.
*SELF-REWARDING
Make the resolution the reward. Do you enjoy going to the movies, concerts, the zoo, etc but can’t ever seem to make it happen? Put it on the list. Have you always wanted to try that restaurant by your work? Put it on the list. Resolutions should be things you actually want to do. Make them fun.
Make the resolution the reward. Do you enjoy going to the movies, concerts, the zoo, etc but can’t ever seem to make it happen? Put it on the list. Have you always wanted to try that restaurant by your work? Put it on the list. Resolutions should be things you actually want to do. Make them fun.
*THE MORE THE MERRIER
By now, you may have figured out that I have more than one item on my list. This year my list includes 13 things I’d like to do by the end of the year. While that may be unrealistic for most (see aforementioned point), setting multiple goals is actually more motivating than having just 1. If you put something small, simple and fun as one of your items (“Try New Restaurant”), accomplishing it will give you enough satisfaction to motivate you to do something a little harder (“Go Skydiving”). Start with 3 Resolutions of varying degrees of difficulty. Even if you only do 1 of the 3, you still did something you resolved to do and the confidence of completing a resolution will propel you to do 2 next year and so on.
By now, you may have figured out that I have more than one item on my list. This year my list includes 13 things I’d like to do by the end of the year. While that may be unrealistic for most (see aforementioned point), setting multiple goals is actually more motivating than having just 1. If you put something small, simple and fun as one of your items (“Try New Restaurant”), accomplishing it will give you enough satisfaction to motivate you to do something a little harder (“Go Skydiving”). Start with 3 Resolutions of varying degrees of difficulty. Even if you only do 1 of the 3, you still did something you resolved to do and the confidence of completing a resolution will propel you to do 2 next year and so on.
*BEEEE SPECIFIC
“Be a Better Friend” is a great aspiration. However, it’s hard to measure. What ways do you want to be a better friend? I’m horrible at correspondence so I resolved to send 10 greeting cards in the mail this year (I only did 3 but those 3 appreciated it!). Another person may want to resolve to have a “Girls’ Nights” once a month to make sure they spend time with their friends.
You want to “Read More”? How much more? 5 books a year? 20 books a year? Be specific. Is there a genre you want to read more often? Put that in your resolution: Read 5 Biographies. That’s certainly more measurable than “Read More”.
“Be a Better Friend” is a great aspiration. However, it’s hard to measure. What ways do you want to be a better friend? I’m horrible at correspondence so I resolved to send 10 greeting cards in the mail this year (I only did 3 but those 3 appreciated it!). Another person may want to resolve to have a “Girls’ Nights” once a month to make sure they spend time with their friends.
You want to “Read More”? How much more? 5 books a year? 20 books a year? Be specific. Is there a genre you want to read more often? Put that in your resolution: Read 5 Biographies. That’s certainly more measurable than “Read More”.
*ACCOUNTABILITY
Don’t try going it alone. Tell somebody your resolutions. You don’t have to post it on Facebook or anything, but you do need to share it with somebody. Accountability is one of the most underrated tools in our arsenal. You may even want to incorporate people into the actual resolutions. You want to exercise more? Find somebody at the same interest and ability level as you to join at the gym. Maybe your sister wants to take that cooking class with you.
You should also consider ways to keep yourself accountable. Set up email reminders or text alerts. Find an app for your smart phone. For example, YouVersion is great if you want to read the Bible more. They send email reminders, have Bible reading plans and provide statistical feedback about your progress.
Don’t try going it alone. Tell somebody your resolutions. You don’t have to post it on Facebook or anything, but you do need to share it with somebody. Accountability is one of the most underrated tools in our arsenal. You may even want to incorporate people into the actual resolutions. You want to exercise more? Find somebody at the same interest and ability level as you to join at the gym. Maybe your sister wants to take that cooking class with you.
You should also consider ways to keep yourself accountable. Set up email reminders or text alerts. Find an app for your smart phone. For example, YouVersion is great if you want to read the Bible more. They send email reminders, have Bible reading plans and provide statistical feedback about your progress.
*START/RESTART WHENEVER
January 1 is great because it signifies newness. But every day is a new day. So what if you don’t have a list together at midnight? If March rolls around and you realize you want to learn a new language, then start in March. Don’t wait until January 2014.
When June comes around and you come across your dusty list, reevaluate if those things are still important to you and start right then. You failed by February? Try again.
Guilt has amazing ways of keeping us from accomplishing our goals. Don’t let it stop you just because you got a late start or skipped a month. Guilt will convince you the only time to start is January 1 and that you must be perfect or it’s not worth even trying. You only crocheted half the afghan? That’s half more than you made last year and a great start for next year’s afghan. Don’t quit.
January 1 is great because it signifies newness. But every day is a new day. So what if you don’t have a list together at midnight? If March rolls around and you realize you want to learn a new language, then start in March. Don’t wait until January 2014.
When June comes around and you come across your dusty list, reevaluate if those things are still important to you and start right then. You failed by February? Try again.
Guilt has amazing ways of keeping us from accomplishing our goals. Don’t let it stop you just because you got a late start or skipped a month. Guilt will convince you the only time to start is January 1 and that you must be perfect or it’s not worth even trying. You only crocheted half the afghan? That’s half more than you made last year and a great start for next year’s afghan. Don’t quit.
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