Goals Vs. Resolutions

A new year is often a time for many of us to reflect on the past year and think about what we might like to do differently in the next year. Let's face it...2020 was a difficult year to say the least and I think it’s safe to say that we all would like to have a better 2021!

Should  you set resolutions then? The short answer is "No!" Try setting goals for yourself instead.

A resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something.  A goal is the desired result.

They sound pretty similar, right? Look at the wording. "Firm decision" vs. "Desired result" By setting goals, we are creating a positive plan where we can measure our steps. Some examples of resolutions would be:

- Lose weight

- Exercise more

- Quit smoking, drinking, overeating

These all sound like things we want to do and have probably said before, right? If you are setting it as another resolution, then that means it probably did not work or it did work but something happened and here you are again.

Let's look at how we can change some of these into goals instead of resolutions"

- I will change my diet to incorporate at least two more fresh vegetables and fruits per day and decrease one unhealthy snack per week for the next month.

- I will walk, run, go to the gym for 30 minutes a day twice a week to help build my strength and assist with weight loss.

- I will decrease my smoking by 1 less cigarette a day for weeks 1 and 2 then another one every 2 weeks following.

Goals are SMART - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

Specific - Be clear and specific with your goal.

Measurable - Be sure to make the goal measurable (i.e. adding 2 more fruits to your daily diet, etc.).

Achievable - Make sure that your goal is realistic and attainable.  Do not set your sites so high that you set yourself up for failure.  You can always add more goals later as you accomplish some of your goals.

Relevant - The goal should be relevant to you and have some kind of benefit to your life.

Time-bound - Set a time frame for your goal.

Once you set your SMART goals, write them down and track your progress each day or week.  Do a little check in with yourself to see how you are doing.  If needed, make changes to your goals.  And then of course, celebrate your wins! 

I personally like to sit down at the beginning of the year and set some goals for myself for my personal and professional growth.  I write them down in a journal and refer to them often in order to check in on my own progress. This year, some of my personal goals include adding more exercise each week, adding more healthy meals to my diet, and doing more self-care on a daily basis.  Professionally, I would like to take my EMDR training to the next level and begin the certification process and also start running some groups in my private practice.  I have set SMART goals for each of these and outlined the steps I need to take and in what timeframe. When I have accomplished a goal, I highlight it in my journal (and sometimes create another related SMART goal). I don't know about you, but that act of highlighting or checking off something I have accomplished feels great!

What kind of SMART goals are you setting for yourself for 2021?