Does this sad conversation sound like the one you have internally sometime between Thanksgiving and New Year’s almost every year?
“I didn’t get the promotion I wanted.”
“I didn’t lose that 20 pounds.”
“I didn’t buy a motorcycle.”
Admittedly, the last one is personal.
That means that 77% of people who make resolutions give up before they ever even get started. “Why even bother,” you ask? I couldn’t agree more!
Resolutions are vague. Since you already know that statistically you really don’t stand a chance, you may as well not even bother.
Saying, “I want to lose 20 pounds,” cites zero specific methods as to how you’re going to go about doing so. So why even try?
But wait…there’s a catch. I’m in no way saying that you should abandon the thought. What I’m suggesting is an entirely new way of looking at an old tradition. Instead of making resolutions, this year, set goals!
Goals are a specific set of instructions. They are a road map which leads to an end result, whereas a resolution is the end result. Goals require action which is what makes them more effective and attainable.
So now that we’ve cleared the air on the whole “don’t set resolutions” thing, let’s talk for a moment on how to go about turning those resolutions into goals.
First, it is important that you develop a clear perception of what it is you want to accomplish. Why is it important to you and what will you do to make it happen? Take something broad like losing 15 pounds and break it down.
The more specific you get when you start breaking down your goals, the more likely it is that you’ll accomplish them. When they’re broken down into manageable pieces, you’ll be more likely to track progress and keep focused. This will equate to measurable successes of which you can be proud.
It’s easy to lose focus when a resolution is too large and this is exactly why only 23% of people make good on their New Year’s resolutions.
This year, if you must make a New Year’s resolution, make it to set a goal!