Did you make any New Year’s resolutions last year, in 2016? If so, what were they and how did you do? It is commonly cited that only 8% of people keep and achieve their New Year’s resolutions. I have no idea how credible this statistic is, but it sounds just about right. So what are some key ways to keep and achieve your goals, and make you part of the 8%? Here are some tips:
Don’t set high expectations – I know many of my readers are high achievers in their lives, so if you are one of those individuals, you may be balking at this tip. However, the human psyche loves success, and the easiest way to get immediate success is to set small goals that are easily achieved. Once achieved, build on the same goal and set the bar higher. Before you know it, you will have achieved that larger goal you had your eye on.
Break it down – this dovetails off the last tip. Break your larger goal down into smaller goals. That twenty or thirty pounds you want to lose — break it down into five pound increments. This is especially helpful if you have been battling that twenty or thirty pounds for a while. If you don’t have a history of exercise, but want to start, don’t set a goal of going to the gym five days per week. Set a goal of one or two times per week. Don’t feel you must go for a hour-long walk if you are new to walking, start with ten-minute walks. The idea is to create a habit. Once you create a habit, it becomes much easier to do on a consistent basis. And to top it off, you don’t have to put so much conscious effort into it, because it is just “what you do”.
Share goals with family and friends – there is nothing like going public to get accountability from those closest to you. When it comes to weight loss however, this can be tricky, because weight loss is such a personal battle for some. And let’s face it, it isn’t healthy to get into battles over food, especially when emotions and relationships are involved. In this case, hire a professional advocate and coach who can guide you, push you, and pull you along the way — that would be me!
Embrace the morning – those who are successful in goal achievement often use the mornings to their advantage. It is a time of focus, and individuals can be much more driven in the morning, than later in the day. In fact, people who set time to exercise in the morning are more consistent with their exercise programs than those who exercise later in the day. I also suggest doing your grocery shopping in the morning. You are more likely to keep your health goals in mind and stick to your grocery list when shopping at 9am than 6pm.
Get up, when you slip up – being resilient to the down times is a must for success. Legendary coach Vince Lombardi once said, “it isn’t whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up.” Acknowledge what you did, learn from it, and then recommit to the path towards the goal. Remember, achieving goals isn’t about willpower, it is about developing the right skills and strategies, while having patience with yourself. Master this and you will be well on your way to a year of success!
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