Ditch the New Year’s Resolution!

The new year is a great time to refocus and prioritize your own health. However, about 90% of people fail to keep up with their New Year’s resolutions throughout the year. New Year’s resolutions are often large, year long, abstract goals that are quickly forgotten about and abandoned. Instead of setting yourself up for failure, make a true change with these simple tools.

Set goals one at a time.

Start with one, small goal. Once you have reached that, move on to the next goal. Setting goals one at a time makes your changes sustainable.

Make goals specific and measurable.

Setting parameters to your goals make them easier to attain. Instead of setting a general goal to be healthy, start with something like “I will eat 2 servings of fruit every day” or “I will walk 30 minutes 3 days a week.”

Create a timeline for your goals.

In addition to being specific and measurable, give yourself a deadline to work towards. This will add motivation to complete your goal and make it a part of your lifestyle. 30 days is a good time frame and can turn a goal into a habit. 

Using these tips to set goals is more manageable, physically and mentally. It builds confidence instead of reducing it. When you set an unrealistic goal for 365 days, you set yourself up for failure. Being realistic about goals means you are more likely to achieve them. Succeeding in your challenge can change your behavior for the long haul.