The New Year leads to many resolutions to make changes and improve your overall wellness. Without specific direction, these new resolutions often run off the path. A well-defined plan is your best bet for success. Keep the following in mind as you define and enact your goals for the coming year.
A Goal Needs to Be as Specific as Possible
“Lose weight” is not specific enough. When setting your goals, it’s important to ask yourself questions such as, “What exactly do I want to achieve and how? And why do I want to do it?”
Make Your Goal Measurable
Whether it’s pounds or inches lost, or how your clothing fits, setting a measurable goal is crucial to your success. Setting long-term goals and then smaller, weekly goals will be the best way to develop healthy, lifelong habits. Achieving weekly successes helps build momentum and keeps you motivated to achieve your long-term goals.
Make Realistic Goals
You need to find the right balance. If the goal is too difficult, you may get discouraged and stop. On the other hand, make sure the goal is challenging enough so you have to work for it and feel a sense of accomplishment. Also, make sure you can visualize yourself actually accomplishing your goal.
Set a Deadline
If your goal doesn’t have a time limit, then you’ll have trouble starting and staying motivated throughout the year. Setting a timeframe will give you a target date to achieve your goal and hold you accountable.
Remember, when setting goals, make them S.M.A.R.T. goals—specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-oriented.