“I will lose weight,” “I will exercise,” “I will drink more water,” “I will quit smoking,” “I will pay off credit cards,” “I will go to bed earlier,” “I will schedule more family time,” “I will schedule me time.” Do any of these sound familiar? It must be resolution time!
The year 2014 is now a thing of the past. As we begin 2015, we reflect on the previous year and look forward with enthusiasm to making this one even better.
After all, most of us look at the New Year as a fresh start, a new beginning, a time to break bad habits and set new goals, or a year of trying new things and re-analyzing past goals. Whatever we choose to set our minds to, we all want the same thing: Results.
As soon as the clock strikes midnight on January 1, it feels that our lives have immediately changed for the better. We’re filled with hope that our bad habits and will instantly be replaced with higher, more positive, healthy ones, and unaccomplished goals will be accomplished soon. We immediately find the self-control and discipline we lacked in the past, and anxiously look forward to a better, more positive energy-driven new year. And even though we felt the same way this time last January 1st, this time it is going to be different (J).
Sound familiar? If you are like 40 percent of Americans, you have made New Year’s resolutions. But, if you are like 92 percent of resolution makers, you will abandon your goals before the end of the year, due to a variety of life factors, with unrealistic expectations at the top of that list. The reality is that New Year’s Resolutions are easier said than done. But each and every resolution you make can be attainable if you set the right goals for yourself and stick with them.
In order to achieve your goals and live the life you dreamed for yourself, you have to change. Change is a part of life, and an important one at that, so why not keep striving to make life better this year?
Maid Brigade wants to help you achieve your goals for 2015 by sharing tips and tricks on all of their social media accounts that will make accomplishing your goals a bit easier. Throughout the month of January, be on the lookout for motivational messages, support, and easy strategies that will keep you on the right track for getting closer to your goals.
To get you started, here is a list of tips to help you on your journey:
1. Make “SMART” Goals. “Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely” goals equal Effective Goals.
Instead of: I am going to lose weight. Use: I am going to lose two pounds a week for the next three months until I reach my desired weight loss of twenty-four pounds.
Remember, your goals should be about you and what you want. Understanding your goals and why you want to accomplish them will help you gain the confidence you need to achieve them.
2. Start small. Start with small goals that will get you to larger ones. Being specific and realistic will allow you to measure success one step at a time. The more unrealistic the goal, the less likely you are to achieve it, which will cause disappointment.
Also, don’t overwhelm yourself or burn yourself out by trying to make too many changes all at once. Start slowly and incorporate healthy changes gradually. If you have to scale back your initial goals a bit to make them more sustainable, then do so.
For example, if your goal is to start exercising, instead of going to the gym seven days a week, start off small and add gym time to your schedule three times a week. Keep in mind that the intention of the resolution is to create healthy habits that you can sustain long-term, not just through January.
Setting several smaller goals throughout the year can help you reach your end goal. Then even if you aren’t able to reach your final goal, you will have many smaller, but still significant, achievements along the way.
3. Get Ready to Change. One of the main reasons that resolutions fail is because people can’t change the habits that prevent them from achieving their goal. Learn to reject bad habits and accept good ones. Stopping bad behaviors will gain confidence in your ability to change.
Remember to write down your goals and visualize them every day. Share your goals with family and friends that can support you in achieving those goals. Record and celebrate as you achieve and accomplish the steps you take towards your final goals. And every once in a while, cut yourself some slack. Sometimes we have to take a few steps back in order to move ahead.
Here’s to creating the life you’ve always wanted…after all, you deserve it! Happy 2015!
