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Tips to Achieve Your New Year’s Resolutions
December 30, 2009
Yes, it’s that time of year again…time to create our list of New Year’s Resolutions. Have you ever found yourself creating your list yet not following through with your goals? I have a theory about that. I think most of us: 1) put way too many things on our New Year’s Resolution list; and 2) aren’t specific enough when we define each resolution. Does this ever happen to you?
Problem: Putting way too many things on your New Year’s Resolution list
Solution: Many studies over the years have shown that most people tend to only remember three things when given a list of items. So be reasonable and try to keep your list short, with only three to maybe five items on it. Remember, if you complete your list early, you can always create another list…maybe a “Summer Resolution list”?
Problem: Aren’t specific enough when defining each resolution
Solution: I like to use the S.M.A.R.T. technique when it comes to New Year’s Resolutions. S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Countless people throughout the world use this process when creating goals and it’s a wonderful technique.
Using the S.M.A.R.T. technique means trying to change a very general goal into a much more specific one. Here’s how it works…let’s say your original resolution was to “get more exercise.” That’s a pretty general goal – so what counts as exercise? How often will you exercise? By changing that resolution into a S.M.A.R.T. goal, it might become, “I will spend more time walking by: 1) Every day, parking further away from work to increase my walking distance to the building; 2) Three times each week I will take 20 minutes during my lunch hour to walk around our office parking lot (and hopefully have a co-worker come with me to make it more enjoyable); and 3) I will make time each weekend to walk with my children to the park and play with them outside.
Here’s another example. Let’s say your original resolution was to “eat healthier.” Changing it to a S.M.A.R.T. goal might make it become, “I will improve my eating habits by: 1) Drinking at least six glasses of water each day; 2) Including a small garden salad as part of my lunch each day; and 3) eating at fast-food restaurants no more than twice per week.
By creating less overall New Year’s Resolutions and turning them into S.M.A.R.T. goals, you’ll have a much better chance of succeeding! You can do it! Happy New Year!
~ Lisa Quast
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