Create your 2022 resolutions that will actually stick
Studies have shown us over the years that roughly 80 percent of people’s new year’s resolutions fail. So before we share some helpful insights on how to create achievable health goals, let’s first determine some of the reasons why resolutions don’t get the light of day at the end of the year.
One main reason why new year’s resolutions fail is that the goal is not clear enough for our consciousness to naturally embrace the change. Often, people set general goals so that they can easily achieve them or change them no matter the circumstance. However, that is not always applicable when it comes to goal-setting.
Another reason that goals tend to fail is that people tend to keep their goals to themselves to avoid embarrassment if they don’t achieve them. It’s just easier to let the world know once you’ve achieved your goal rather than allowing them to witness the many milestones and so-called “failures” on the way.
Lastly, maybe you’re simply not ready yet. You’ve consciously set these goals because you want to change, but internally, you’re not ready to bring these goals to life and it’s important to acknowledge that.
Do any of these reasons apply to you? If yes, here are some ways to identify the right resolution for you:
Make it a SMART health goal
The SMART acronym stands for: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. You may have heard about this acronym at work but it can also be useful when you set your own new year’s resolutions. Here’s an example of a general health goal: “I want to lose weight in 2022”. Now, here’s an example of a SMART health goal: “I want to lose 20 pounds before my birthday next year.” To stay on top of your SMART health goal, write it at the very first page of your health journal and determine what makes it specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. It is also great to break down your goals into action steps. In your health journal under the “goals” section, you can list your SMART goal and break it down into actionable steps like this:
Goal: I want to lose 20 pounds before my birthday next year
Action Step 1: Get a gym membership
Action Step 2: Get a gym buddy for accountability
Action Step 3: Go to the gym 3 times a week, and make sure it is marked in my calendar
Action Step 4: Reach -10 pounds on the 6-month mark
Action Step 5: Cut out candy and pop out of my diet
These action steps are more measurable and will help you on the way to reaching your SMART goal.
Create an accountability structure
They say nothing will change if you change nothing. However, big changes don’t just occur overnight. That is why it’s important for you to make it more sustainable. How can you make it more sustainable? Don’t try to achieve them on your own. Find an accountability partner with whom you can check in on a regular basis. Another great way to keep you accountable is by joining virtual groups that are open to sharing a similar journey so that you can fuel your own. If your goal is to lose weight, find someone to be your gym buddy. If your goal is to eat healthier, encourage your partner to do the same. The possibilities are endless.
Reflect on your own challenges and accomplishments
Studies have shown that the most widely-shared fear among us as humans is the notion that there is something fundamentally wrong with us and we can’t change no matter what we do. This limiting belief cripples us but not if we acknowledge it. It’s a continuous process, just like setting a different new year’s resolution every year. What the difference is, is that we empower ourselves when we acknowledge our own strengths and weaknesses and make an effort to understand why we want to set these goals in the first place. You can start by opening your 2021 health journal and celebrate what you have accomplished so far.
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