Setting Things Straight in 2008

Resolve to Be a Better You – a YOU You Can Live With!

by Staff reports

If you’re like most Americans, each year you set some goals to achieve, like getting more exercise, learning something new, being healthier…

But very few of us are actually able to stick to resolutions we make for ourselves, or those we share with others (which in some cases is a no-no!). That’s because after a holiday season of overindulging and promising ourselves that we’ll make up for it in the New Year, it’s easy to set unrealistic goals.

For this New Year, don’t make the usual resolutions — I will never drink again, I will cut down on sweets, I’m giving up fried foods, I’m volunteering more — etc. Instead, take the new year day by day and step by step, focusing on those resolutions that you can actually achieve.
It’s easy to “want” to accomplish something; what’s you really need to ask yourself is, “Am I willing to accomplish this?” Knowing the difference between “wanting to” and “willing to” is what will allow you to make the most progress.

Plan Resolution Goals You Won’t Abandon

Determine a realistic goal. Make it easy on yourself. Grab a piece of
paper and write down your goal(s). Instead of writing something vague
like, “I’ll eat healthier this year” or “I’ll be more active,” try
setting a more specific goal like “I will not eat fried food more than
once per week.”

“I will walk for 30 minutes, two days per week. “I will
volunteer two hours a day once a month.”

Choose something YOU — not your husband, wife, kids, mom but YOU —
really want.

Similarly, you should have a clear picture of WHY you want
to do something, of how it will benefit you. Otherwise you will find it
hard to keep the motivation up.

Create a plan, and then focus on the process. On the same piece of
paper, write down a plan to meet your goal(s). Look at the plan and ask
yourself… is this realistic? Be honest. Is it too hard? Will it take
too much time? Is it too boring? Then ask yourself: “Is this something
I can commit to, or a plan will I stick to?” Trying to commit to more
than one goal at the same time is a classic pitfall.

After you write your goal down, ask yourself these questions:
1.    Is it specific enough, and able to be measured?
2.    Is the goal able to be achieved and realistic?

If the answer to these questions is no, it would help to focus on a daily or weekly goal that would be much easier to manage.

Get help. Most people have trouble reaching their goals without some
help. If the goal is important to you, get personal coaching, join a
support group, exercise club, or solicit mentoring from friends or
family.

Think small. Starting small and accomplishing the easier goals will
determine your future success. What matters is keeping your focus on
what you’ll do today.

It’s about the small choices you make. Taking the stairs, choosing a
glass of water over a soft drink, or scheduling some “me” time and
sticking to it, confirms that you’re taking steps toward your ultimate
goal.

Don’t beat yourself up with an emotional trip! Shame and/or guilt can
hold back your best intentions. If you often feel shamed or guilty
after a setback, imagine what you would say to a close friend in the
same situation. Most likely, you’d be encouraging and supportive and
come up with solutions to the problem. There may come a time when your
initial enthusiasm has waned and your motivation is running low.

Then you need to just do what you set out to accomplish! Try not to be
so wrapped up in your thoughts and emotions; they are just things
running through your consciousness. They are not you! Treat yourself
the same with love and respect, realizing that more often than not,
failure is a part of success!

If you have a setback, just start over! What is most important is that you don’t give up!