Many people make New Year’s resolutions (instead of New Year Goals), and often they make the same ones as they did last year, and the year before that too. But apparently only 3% of people set themselves goals.
New Year’s resolutions rarely work out, but if you set yourself a goal – you stand a chance.
Why do New Year’s Resolutions Fail So Miserably?
It’s usually because they are so vague and meaningless. On top of that they are usually about giving up something pleasurable – who in their right mind is going to want to do that? If you don’t really want to do it, how long are you going to do it for?
New Year’s resolutions are all about things you think you should do. They are rarely about things you want to do, otherwise why would you wait until January 1st to start?
A common resolution is ‘Lose Weight’.
This means absolutely nothing and is totally uninspiring! This is not going to motivate you into action, or at least not for very long. Where is the benefit in ‘Lose Weight’?
Also – where’s the plan? How are you going to reach your destination of ‘Lose Weight‘? Wherever that is.
If you’re someone who makes New Year’s resolutions, and this tends to be one of yours, perhaps you could do it differently this year, and set some New Year goals instead.
New Year Goals
A well thought out New Year goal would paint a picture. It would be clear, you would know exactly what it is you wanted. When you thought about it, it would make you feel good – you would see the benefit.
This is an example of a weight loss goal, that could be part of your New Year goals:
I am comfortably fitting into my size 12 jeans and I look and feel fantastic! Family and friends keep asking me what my secret is because they can’t believe how good I look these days.
Obviously yours would be different, because it would be what you wanted.
You’ve thought about your desired destination, and imagined being there. This feels good! This feels worth taking a bit of action for! So next comes your plan. How do you get to ‘I fit into my size 12 jeans and look great“?
Underneath your goal you would write a few steps, a few things you could do. If could be something like this:
- I found the best information about health and weight loss available
- I set a little time aside every week to learn about health and weight loss
- I gradually put my learning into practice
- I got active by walking a bit more
- I resolved NEVER to do a diet again
- And so on
As you make progress and learn more, you would probably add some more steps. You would check in on this ‘road map’ you’ve created, so see if you’re still on track.
How much more likely do you think you are to succeed when you decide on your goal and write a plan to achieve it, compared with the New Year’s resolution of ‘Lose Weight’?
This type of thing is the bedrock of successful change. If you want to learn how to do it properly, and maximise your chances of success, you’ll find out how in my book – click on the image to order one.
Also – make sure you’ve got my FREE weight loss guide and are getting my weekly newsletters by clicking here.
Have a wonderful New Year!
Uber Health
Dr Julie