Resolutions or Goals?
This is a repost from January 2020
“According to U.S. News & World Report, 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail by February.” — US News and World Report
Wow! That’s a lot. And considering the most common resolutions are around money and health, it compounds the statistic. We all want more money and to be n in better health. So why aren’t we getting there?
Plain and simple…two things: our emotions and our inability to see the trees through the forest. “…the unfortunate truth is that change, all change, entails some degree of emotional friction, which in turn generates a "heated state" we call stress. Whether you're feeling anxious, depressed, frustrated, fatigued, weak and out of control, or simply bored, emotional friction (stress) becomes the high-octane fuel of failure.” —US News and World Report Not to mention, saying you want to lose 25lbs. is broad. How are you going to do it? Will you need help? What will it cost and can you afford it?
Well, there is one more hinderance…. Resolutions are not goals and goals by their nature inspire us to achievement. So, call them goals and not resolutions to count yourself in the 20% success rate. “While it is obviously harder to achieve a BHAG goal [Big Hairy Audacious Goals] than a micro-goal, the difficulty of the goal you set isn't nearly as important as whether or not you create the right process to achieve that goal -- and whether you follow the process you create.” — Jeff Haden, Inc.
“How can you turn your New Year’s resolutions into goals?
Get clear on what you want to accomplish, why it’s important, and how you’ll make it happen. Take something broad such as making more money in the next year and break it down. How are you going to make more money? Will that be getting a promotion, changing jobs, or starting a side business?... What else will you have to do? Get as specific as possible and outline all of the smaller steps you’ll need to take to reach your full goal.” — Ashira Prossack, Forbes
“One 2014 poll, conducted by researchers at the University of Scranton, found that, while 77 percent of people adhered to their New Year's resolutions within the first week, that figure dips to 46 percent after six months.” — Max Ufberg, PSMag.com
The word Resolution comes from the Latin word “Resolutio “which comes from the Latin verb “Resolvere” which means to loosen or release. The etymology of the word goal in full is unknown, but it comes from middle English meaning “limit, boundary” So which do you want release or boundary? I’ll take the later. You know the saying I am “drawing a line in the sand.” Think of goal as that line in the sand between the old you and the new you, 25lbs. lighter. How are you going to cross over to the good side of the line? By breaking down your goal into its many parts. If we refer back to the goal of losing 25lbs., the parts may be:
1. Find out how much a gym membership costs and see if you can afford to join? Personal Trainer, anyone?
2. If you can’t afford a gym, research home workouts or local walking/running groups.
3. Develop better eating habits by doing research, working with a nutritionist or health coach, or some other method (ask family, friends and colleagues how they lost weight)
4. Buy a scale and weigh yourself regularly and maybe buy a tracker too to see how active you are everyday
5. Create accountability so you stick with it.
(This list is not the be all and all. There are so many ways to get on a plan to lose weight.)
Did you notice #5? Accountability. With any goal you make, you may want to build in accountability or have an “accountability partner” so you are motivated to keep going. Heck, I post my workouts and walks to FB to hold myself accountable and all the likes and comments are just icing on the cake (which if you trying to lose weight, stay away from cake). Accountability comes from the old French Word, “Acont “meaning to count as in money. You always want to make sure you get paid the right amount money which is old France was coins and papers, since there was no direct deposit.
The point is that success in achieving your New Year’s goals comes down to setting a specific goal, breaking it down into pieces to do one a time and having accountability so you stay on track. The ball has dropped in Times Square, the champagne is all drunk and it is now you and your goals. So get cracking!