New Year, New Me, a common phrase used by many to describe the feeling of having a fresh start at the beginning of each calendar year. Some even take advantage of it and set goals for themselves to work towards as the new year progresses. The famous "New Year's Resolutions" are widely known for being unattainable for many and accomplished by few. Yet, that has never stopped people from setting them because in the end hope doesn't die.
There's always hope that this year I'll stick to it or the maybe just maybe, I can actually get there this year. Many struggle year after year in meeting these goals. Many blame their lack of motivation, time, or will, but sometimes the issue lies within the goals themselves. So the question at hand is the following: How can I set New Year's Resolutions that I will actually meet?
Tips for setting the Goals:
Make them Realistic: This advice is a bit cliché but it is quite ignored. There is nothing more unmotivating than goals that truly seem impossible. Why work towards something you just know you won't accomplish. It is also important to tell the difference between challenging goals and unrealistic goals. Challenging goals will make your work harder while unrealistic goals will make you work in vain. One must be honest with oneself and even ask one's peers for advice to make sure the goals are achievable and manageable.
Shoot for the Moon. Even if You Miss, You'll land among the Stars: This quote is quite common and one will most likely hear it at least once in one's lifetime. Here is where the distinction between Challenging and Unrealistic comes into play. Sure, it may seem logical to set near to impossible goals so one can land as close to it as possible. But, what's the point of going on a journey if you are aware you'll never arrive at your destination? It's important to keep in mind that the goal is always the moon, so in order to keep yourself on the path, you must see the moon as possible. If you truly have a (realistic and possible) goal in mind, then set it. But also remember, these goals are flexible, and if you don't get exactly to the main destination, then at least applaud yourself for getting close.
Make Subgoals: Having a clear final goal in mind is crucial to staying motivated but breaking the large goal into smaller subgoals may be extremely helpful. It's hard to plan something and stay on track of it with a year-long period to complete it. Humans tend to procrastinate so when the deadline is the next December 31, it's easy to "set it for later". Perhaps, establishing where one wants to be at the end of January, February, March, etc. will make one more motivated to keep working.
Reward Yourself: There's nothing more motivating than knowing there is a reward at the end. Of course, most year-long goals have a sort of reward at the end. However, the reward at the end of December may not be the best incentive to keep you working through January. Rewarding oneself after some progress is made is important so one can stay focused and not be as tempted to ditch the goals. The reward may vary, and it doesn't have to be something grand, just something that'll keep you happy and make you feel accomplished.
Hopefully, these tips help create a new kind of New Year's Resolutions. A kind that is more realistic and easier to achieve. Additionally, it's key to keep in mind that we must be patient with oneself and that it's not necessary to wait for January 1st to start new.
*Photograph by Stacy
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