Why bother turning your New Year resolution into a goal? We are approaching that time when New Year Resolutions fade into the background as distant memory… Memories slowly fading, motivation declining as previous routines begin to set in again. It’s okay, that is kind of the nature of resolutions. The intentions are always good, but because we didn’t change them into goals, we lose interest or find them too difficult.
The reality is most Resolutions do not translate well into goals. What I mean by that is… A goal is best when laid out as a S.M.A.R.T. goal. It is Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Relevant. Timely.
So How Do We Change our New Year Resolution into a Goal
Well, let’s look at your resolution. It is an amazing starting point.
Step 1: SPecific
Let’s try to make it a bit more specific. If your goal was to lose weight, great. How much weight?
Step 2: Measurable
See how that becomes measurable? While the general idea of losing weight is measurable, it is not specific. Find a number, something that can easily be measured or counted.
Step 3: Attainable
So let’s say, you want to lose twenty pounds. Great, that is attainable depending on your starting point. If it feels like too much, then all you have to do is adjust the amount or your can play with last step, Timely. Extent your timeline before solidifying your goal. You can ask other people if the goal seems attainable, like medical practitioner, nutritionist, your personal trainer 😉
Step 4: Relevant
Is losing twenty pounds relevant to you? Is this something you have wanted? Or is it something you put as your resolution because it seemed like a good idea? Make sure your goal is relevant. You want to lose the weight. If it is not relevant, find another goal, or find a way to make it relevant for you.
Step 5: Timely
Make your goal timely. Give yourself a timeline. You want to lose twenty pounds, but in how much time? Saying two weeks, makes no sense, not attainable, nor is it healthy. Something like 10 weeks, that is attainable and healthy. Two pounds every week.
I have changed my New Year Resolution into a goal, now what?
Preparation is key. What do you need to succeed in the clear, S.M.A.R.T. goal you have set yourself. If we continue with the 20 pounds lost, then you will need to look at increasing your activity and, most importantly, reducing your calorie intake. Weight loss is all about food, exercise plays a small role in comparison. So think about what foods you can start to limit. I am not a fan of cutting out completely permanently, but look at what you can reduce, or change your relationship with. These small little thoughts and calculations will help you reach your goal.
Write your smart goal down, create a vision board with the things you need to remember. If you slip up, you will have a reminder why you are doing this. A slip up is not the end of the world, there is time to accomplish what you want, the trick is not to wait, that will accomplish nothing, but trying, trying is the way to go.