With the New Year right around the corner, it is time to start thinking about what resolutions you want to make. Almost half of all Americans make annual goals, but of those less than 46% keep them after six months. The statistics are even more dismal the latter half of the year. Unfortunately, I commonly fall into the camp that has generally given up by late March. I normally set large goals – most of which fall into the typical “eat healthy, exercise, spend time with family” camp, and honestly by Easter I just feel discouraged and tired. Maybe this is because I am setting too broad of goals. Broad, open-ended goals are the easiest to tinker around the edges with. It first starts with a slight amendment to one, then one becomes two, and then the final product resembles nothing of where I started and then I give up. No this doesn’t mean I trade salmon and asparagus for ding dongs and Doritos for the rest of the year (just when my husband is out of town; I kid, I kid). It just means I am not as diligent about trying. And when you take into account I am trying to juggle a full time job, and toddler who has an affinity for being attached to my hip, and a commute that commonly makes me want to weep, it is obvious why I have given myself a pass on accomplishing any goal.
Well, I am tired of taking the pass.
It’s so cliché to say this year is different; so maybe it won’t be different, but it will be deliberate. Instead of looking to the scale to be my metric of success, I am going to set attainable, personalized goals that won’t be publicized on my Facebook page, and also will have a low-barrier to achievement.
In order to set attainable goals, first be specific. For example, while in years past I would have set a goal of reading to my child more, the lack of specificity would have eventually set me up for failure. What does more really mean? This year I want to read at least three books a day together. I will also promise to not protest when he chooses the same three books that lack any significant literary value. Reading is reading, right?
Next, set measurable goals. It is no secret that the kitchen is my least favorite room in the house. I seem to lose all creativity and patience when I walk in. This year I want to make three homemade meals per week. Snicker all you want; I know this is a low bar. This (relatively low bar) goal is meant to be attainable. This could mean I rely more on my crockpot, or finally learn what some of the pans in my cabinet are meant for. However, this goal is for the health of my family and our finances, so I am ready to tackle it in the New Year.
Your goal must also be realistic. I would love to fit into my high school (or college) jeans by next December, but let’s be honest, that isn’t going to happen. While I would love to magically regain the metabolism I had at 17 and my pre-childbearing hips this is not realistic. Instead I want to exercise four times a week. This could be taking a long walk with my child in the stroller on the weekend or hitting the gym at work during lunch. You know what is not realistic for me: going to the gym seven days a week. I know my personal constraints and commitments at home and work. Let go of the extreme resolutions and set reasonable expectations early on.
Finally, set a timeframe in which you want to reach your goal. The goals I have outlined above for me are meant to last more than just for the next year. These are lifestyle changes that will take an adjustment to get used to, but will hopefully set my family up for long term success. For shorter term goals it is important to set a deadline as motivation. So pick a date, mark it on your calendar and start working towards your goal.
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