Balance

a sustainable new year WHY RESOLUTIONS ARE OVERRATED

Written by Jennifer Miller

Have you ever been to the gym in early January? The parking lot and spin class are full and there is nary a treadmill to be found. Come back in three weeks and you’ll have the place to yourself. Only around 12% of people who make “resolutions” in the new year feel successful in completing their resolutions twelve months later. So why should we ditch resolutions all together? The word itself can cause anxiety and dread to the calmest person. Usually resolutions are too broad, too vague and too daunting.

There is nothing wrong with setting goals, pushing for change and achievement. But instead of hitting the first roadblock and giving up your bike in that 6 am spin class, how do we make these goals sustainable and realistic? First, remember that January should be used for motivation and inspiration, not as a timeline. You won’t be able to train for a marathon in 31 days. Use the “fresh start effect” to your advantage and plan to start off on the right foot.

Speaking of planning, it’s key. Don’t wait until the first of the year to have your goals plotted.

Start that list early. Your plan should be as detailed as your end of year spreadsheet. Goals should be small and realistic. Maybe it isn’t realistic for you to hit the gym everyday but three times a week is a good place to start. As humans, we are creatures of habit which can make any kind of change hard. Use your plan to make small steps for big results.

Setbacks and obstacles are going to happen. You’re going to oversleep or spend a week keeping food delivery services in business. Life happens. Plan for those instances in advance. How will you handle the inevitable relapse or roadblock? Instead of just giving up, how do we adapt to it or change something if it isn’t working? The path won’t always be a straight one, view your setbacks as opportunities to succeed.

That fresh start motivation of January is also fairly likely to dwindle by March. So how can we continue to move forward when the want to do so dissipates? Support from your friends and family is one way. Maybe you join a challenge at your gym, enlist your spouse to make dinner together so you’ll eat more meals at home, form a book club so you’ll spend less time on your phone. Making a list of how you’ll feel and what you will be accomplishing when you achieve your new goals will also help renew your motivation when it gets low. Keep that list handy and in reach so you can easily access it when you need that extra boost.

Above all, give yourself grace. Everyday will not be the same. You will feel like you took one step forward and five steps back. Keep going, keep reminding yourself you are worth the effort you are putting in. w

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