The new year is right around the corner. This time of year makes lots of people want to make resolutions, make changes in habits or set new goals for themselves. How can we not have another year of failed resolutions? Here are a few ideas on how to not have your resolution fail. Ask yourself these 3 questions the goals you have set for yourself.
- Is the resolution you created based on what someone else (or society) is telling you to change?
- Is it too vague?
- Do you have a realistic plan for achieving this goal?
Your goals should be S.M.A.R.T, an acronym coined in the journal for Management review in 1981 for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These standards can work in management and in setting your life resolutions.
- Specific. Your resolution should be clear. Don’t just say, “I want to lose weight.” How much weight and in what time interval? (e.g., 5 pounds in the next two months). Approaching your goals this way will be help you know when you’ve achieved them.
- Measurable. This might seem obvious if your goal is a fitness or weight-loss-related one, but it is important if you are trying to cut back on something, too. If, for example, you want to stop biting your nails, take pictures of your nails over time so you can track your progress. Logging progress into a journal, or making notes in your phone can also help you track behaviors and can reinforce progress no matter what the resolution may be.
- Achievable. This does not mean you can’t set big goals for yourself, but trying to take huge steps too fast can leave you frustrated or affect other areas of your life. For example, a goal to save enough money to retire in 5 years when you are in your twenties is likely not realistic, but saving $100 a month may be (and if that is easy, increase the amount to $200, $300, or $400 a month).
- Relevant. Is this a goal that matters to you and are you making it for the right reasons? If you create a resolution out of self-hate, strong passion, or remorse at that moment it usually won’t last long. If you build up a process where you are thinking harder about what’s good for you, you are changing the structure of your life, and if you bring people into your life who will reinforce the resolution, then you will have a fighting chance!
- Time-bound. Like “achievable”, the timeline towards reaching your goal should be realistic, too. That means giving yourself enough time to complete your goal with lots of smaller intermediate goals set up along the way. That way you will focus on these small wins, see the gradual progress and achieve your end goal. Plus along the way you will be creating lasting habits!
Some easy goals to set for yourself this year are: “Treat yo Self!” and do something like get your nails done once a month, or a facial or massage every 4-6 weeks. Self-love is good for your mental health, and busy parents and professionals tend to put themselves down the line- make yourself a priority.
Drink more water. This one is easy with big rewards! It can lower your blood pressure, reduces your risk of heart attack or stroke and lowers cholesterol, moisturizes the skin, reduces acne and the look of aging skin, reduces water retention in your body, and can increase your energy levels! Drinking more water can aid in weight loss and in helping you rid your body of toxins and flush your bowels to get things moving! It can keep joints moving and aid in cancer and diabetes prevention. These are just a few of the main health benefits of drinking more water each day.
Walking or moving more each day to get those steps in is another fantastic and achievable goal. It can help boost brain activity, and trim those extra inches from your body. It can save your vision, help you sleep better, relax and chill out more easily, and it can ward off depression! To make this goal measurable, set a distance or time goal.
So choose wisely this year and be kind to yourself! Use the tools above to help make a goal that is S.M.A.R.T and do not forget to get holiday ready and reward yourself all year at Rhimix Salon and Spa!