Resolution Is A Journey, Not A Race

As another year passes and a new year begins, the question of what new year’s resolutions will you make, keep and break start to show up in our day to day thoughts. We start off with our new plans of eating right, exercising and saving more money with vigor to take on some of the biggest challenges in our day to day lives. We are determined and confident that this year will be the year we make those changes in our lives.

 

The big question is “where do you begin”? According to the Harvard Healthbeat, it is best to set a goal in place before you start. The article talks about choosing a goal that fits you best and goals that you are more likely to achieve. The article continues by discussing the importance of having a big dream that lines up with the goals you have set. You should ask the question of why. Why do you want to achieve this goal. If you don’t have a big enough “Why” or a big enough reason to make the change, it will be hard for you to make the change when it gets tough.

 

Making a big change in your life takes commitment and an understanding that most of the time, you will not be able to make this change overnight. Change begins with committing long-term to make small changes in your life everyday to achieve your goals over a long period of time. Start with small steps to develop successful habits that get you closer to your goal every day.

 

Research has shown us that it takes 40 days to create a habit. Knowing that you need to set a minimum of a 40 day commitment to achieve your goal should help you reach your goal with small changes every day.

 

Now that you know what goal you want to achieve and you know that you have to commit to it for at least 40 days, write it down. By writing it down you are making a commitment to yourself to reach your goals. To fully commit to this goal, share your plan with someone close to you. Choose an accountability partner that will hold you to your new commitments. By involving others you are not just committing to yourself, you are committing to others as well.

 

When you are ready to begin making the change in your life, set yourself up for success by making small changes in your daily habits that will get you moving towards your overall goal. Again, don’t try to change overnight, remember that this is a journey and not a race. Continue to focus on the reason “why” you are doing this and do your best to surround yourself with people that will keep you accountable and care about your success.

 

Sources

 

https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/7-ways-to-jumpstart-healthy-change-in-your-life