New Year, New You?
...Except for when you accidentally break your resolution? Are you too hard on yourself? Do you beat yourself up mentally?
Here are a few tips on how to avoid the mental madness...
Setting goals and new year’s resolutions: Only 8% of people who make new year’s resolution keep them. Whether you’re motivated to start exercising, lose weight, quit smoking or get promoted at work, setting goals and making resolutions can be an exciting – and sometimes daunting – prospect.
Goals VS Resolutions.
Your hopes should inspire and motivate, not evoke (demoralizing behaviours) shame and create a fear of failure. Change and the resolve to alter or stop deeply ingrained habits can be really difficult. One way to approach difficult changes is to set goals instead of making resolutions. Why?
1) Fluid, realistic and attainable steps.
A goal can be broken down into manageable steps, big or small, according to your feelings, and your ability to respond to challenge.
2) That celebration of accomplishment.
Each step you achieve serves as a win and a very effective motivator to keep going.
3) Perception.
A goal feels looser, more forgiving and feasible when compared to a hard and fast resolution, helping you to stay positive on your journey.
4) Scope and practice.
You create, break down and reach realistic goals every day, without realizing it, the process of establishing, planning and executing your new year’s goals is a process you’re a pro at already - and therefore more likely to succeed.
