4-Step Plan For Achieving New Year Resolutions

It is that time of year again when we are delighted to wish everyone a very happy New Year!

Are you committing to any New Year Resolutions? I sure am.

Each year I come across gloomy news headlines claiming the majority of people who commit to change in the coming year will fail miserably at their goals, even before the end of January.

I am not going to offer the supposed ‘ultimate method’ for goal planning and execution because if the process itself is too arduous then compliance becomes the goal, not the intended outcome. When you lose sight of the end result, the benefit to be gained, it is all too easy to become distracted and fall back into old habits.

I will offer the simple 4-step plan that works for me every time:

1. Have a clear vision

Be crystal clear about what you are wanting to achieve. Spend enough time imagining precisely what will be different when you have reached your goal. You want to visualise the outcome and hold this picture in your heart and mind as a reminder to keep you motivated. The vital tip here is the ‘heart’ part; instead of simply thinking about how things will be different - actually practise ‘feeling’ it. The emotional conviction is often what is lacking behind any failed goal.

2. Double check the ‘Why?’

We are often at risk of making goals or commitments that are not truly aligned with what we want; our deepest and personal desires. Lots of good reasons arise why our commitments drift to include some or more of other people’s expectations. New Year Resolutions are often a big deal for most people, often bold and ambitious goals. I’m a big fan of big goals but they are also harder to reach. The problem with failure, besides failing, is the pattern it creates in our mindset. Not achieving our goals can become a pattern if we consistently fail to achieve them. So rather don’t make any commitments unless you are prepared to stick to them.

3. Take it step by step

The bigger the goal the more steps usually exist before reaching the final achievement. Make things easier on yourself by breaking up your ‘big goal’ into smaller ones. Small goals and many more smaller wins. Make sure to celebrate each win in some meaningful way for you.

4. Make it fun

We could all do with a bit more fun in our lives. Too little time and too much ‘serious’ stuff are the typical excuses that get in our way of having more fun and play time. Instead of trying to magically create more time I prefer to review my approach to things - aiming to change my attitude where possible. When it comes to performing the steps towards my goal I look at how I can make things more enjoyable. Such as; adding funky music in the background, sharing the process with a good friend or even watching a silly blooper on youtube before the task to lift my mood.

So what it going to be your goal or goals for the New Year? One of the most popular is health & fitness resolutions.

If your New Year Resolution has something to do with exercise then do have a read of a previous post of mine - What’s Stopping You From Exercising

On behalf of the entire team at Mount Merrion Physiotherapy, I’d like to wish all our clients a happy and healthy New Year in 2015.

Enjoy the celebrations if you have them planned.
Take care,

Robin