By the third week in January, 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions have been abandoned. Ouch.
Now that we’re a week into February, how are you fairing with intentions you may have set for January 1?
Instead of resolutions, try setting a few (1-3) well-thought-out meaningful goals. (I believe in setting meaningful goals instead of resolutions.) The definition of “resolution” is a firm decision to do or not do something. (I can’t imagine life without a crispy French fry ever again.) Maybe that’s why most resolutions are abandoned within the first month.
Research in positive psychology indicates that people who set meaningful goals and work towards achieving them have a greater sense of happiness.
What would you like to accomplish this year?
Here are three hints at creating meaningful goals.
Check in on your feelings about the goal. If the goal doesn’t excite you, it may not be right for you. Hopefully, you have a sense of intrinsic desire versus an extrinsic goal that feels like something you “should be doing.”
Try to word the goal as positively as possible. For example, “I will not eat junk food” becomes “I will eat more fresh fruit and veggies.” It’s a subtle yet powerful shift in mindset. (In goal-setting theory, this is the concept of attainment versus avoidance.)
Give thought to the plan on how you can accomplish the goal. Then think about the inevitable hurdles – you’re bound to encounter a few – and get a backup plan to overcome the challenges. (I like to call the hurdles “life’s colorful chaos.”)
Goal setting is one of my favorite parts of my work as a board-certified health coach. If you’d like to know more about setting goals in your own life, pop me an email.
With warmth,
Julie
