With one more flip of the calendar page we will arrive in 2017. There were successes, failures, and challenges for all of us over the past twelve months. For many of us, 2017 can’t get here fast enough! We often view the New Year as a time to “re-boot” and start the year fresh with new business, family, and personal goals. New Year’s goals and resolutions fill all of us with hope that this next calendar year can be the best year that we have ever had. While it may be easy for us to set new goals and resolutions, keeping those same goals and resolutions throughout the year (even the first month) is very difficult. Here are a few tips to stay on track with your New Year’s resolutions and goals.
Tip #1: Have a plan. Before you can set goals and resolutions, a period of reflection is required. It is hard to visualize where you are going, without first looking at where you have been. What worked for you last year? What did not work last year? In order for your goal or resolution to be met, you have to put a plan in place. A goal without a plan is just a wish.
Tip #2: Focus on the journey, not the destination. Try to focus on improving yourself every day. Instead of setting a weight loss goal to achieve by the end of the year, set a daily activity goal. Hitting a daily goal motivates you to keep going the next day. A scale should be used in your fitness routine only one time. Follow these instructions to use your scale properly; Bend down to pick up the scale. Use your knees, not your back. Grab the scale, lift it high in the air, and throw it in the garbage. Let your body tell you how you are doing, not a useless device.
The problem with New Year’s resolutions, is in the name itself. Why do we need to wait for the beginning of the New Year to start improving our lives? Why do we need to start and stop goals only once per year? Start today by making a plan. If that plan changes, which it will, make a new plan. I make a New Year’s resolution every day; be better than I was yesterday. I plan on keeping that resolution.