No More Resolutions! Why Setting Goals Is Important

“I hate New Year’s resolutions!” This overheard in March last year. Odd I thought and never thought to ask why.

They warned me but I didn’t believe them. Surely it can’t be that bad! I stuck my head in the sand avoiding the issue and the dreadful horror that was to come.

For months I stayed in my own little bubble just doing my thing.

That was a bad idea. If only I had listened I might have been prepared…

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New Year’s resolutions might start out with great intentions but we all know where that ends up…upset, guilt, anxiety, regret, self-pity and more when those great intentions crash and burn.

And that alone just kills me inside.

No one should have to feel like that,ever.

I was caught off guard.

My first warning should have been the parking lot. There wasn’t a spot to be found. I thought maybe a nearby store was having a Boxing Day sale. Wrong!

I walked in only to find snow boots everywhere. Every locker was taken. Every machine had a lineup.

That’s right….New Year’s Resolutions were in full swing and the gym, my “me time” has turned into a circus.

I must have worn that deer in the headlights look really good. A nearby member started laughing and she called to me, “First one, huh?” *gulp!* “Don’t worry by the end of the month half are missing, the rest are gone by February.”

And isn’t that the truth?

Maybe it is time we dig in and find a way to change that.

3 Reasons New Years Resolutions Fail

Knowing the reason YOUR New Year’s Resolutions fail will help you to identify the problem and find ways to overcome it.

1 Your Foundation Is Weak.

In order for anything to stand up to “life storms” it must be built on a strong foundation. Like the house you live in, you want it to weather the storms and keep you safe.

As New Year’s Resolutions are often based on sheer willpower, they can’t stand up to the challenges such as distractions, roadblocks, and changes in our life.

2 You Pick Something Unrealistic.

As much as you want to be superwoman, you can’t do it all. If you choose an unrealistic goal for your New Year’s Resolution you will feel overwhelmed and discouraged before you even start.

For example, you say “I’m going to play a game with my kids every single day this year.”

Yet, you have no idea what games they like, you don’t even like games AND you have played one game in the past 12 months.

Honestly, what are the chances you are going to play a game every.single.day for the next 365 days?

Zero, that’s what. Why do that to yourself?

3 You Are Not Specific.

“I want to read aloud to my kids.” Sounds like a great goal but it isn’t.

Why? Because it doesn’t tell you anything. This is too vague and flimsy. Remember the 5 W’s from your school days? This goal does not answer any of those.

When you set these goals and fail over and over it is easy to get discouraged and downhearted. Here is a wild suggestion…stop setting New Year’s Resolutions and start making goals instead.

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How To Set Goals Instead

“But Jen, these are the same thing.” You are right they could be…or they could be the very thing that changes your world.

It’s the process that makes the difference.

Goals are different from New Year’s resolutions because of these 2 things.

1. You treat them like a marathon instead of a sprint.

Have you ever talked to someone who plans on running a marathon? They never just hit the treadmill once or twice and say, “Ok all set!”

Because if they did …what do you think their chances of success would be? Zero.

Why do you view your goals the same way? When making New Year’s Resolutions, you throw that baby out there and say, “Ready, set, go!”

*Splat*

^That is the sound of you falling flat on your face.

Goal setting is like a marathon in that it is built on solid research, time, and hard work.

Wise marathon runners plan, they research the race, set up a workout schedule, find an accountability partner, look at their diet, invest in the proper gear and training and more.

They do all this in order to reach their goal not because they have loads of time but because they are determined to succeed.

Aren’t you worth the same investment?

2. You invest your greatest asset. YOU.

Goals take planning, research, time and commitment. It takes you. It takes hard work and determination. Pretty much like everything else worth doing. Goal setting, done right, is not quick or easy.

You think and DO.

Often times, due to the fact you have failed over and over again on your New Year’s resolution you get caught up in the research phrase and never actually take action.

Fear keeps holding you back.

Why try, you already know the outcome?

With a view to goal setting, you take action. Stop throwing away all your hard work in the research and start taking action!

Do it because you want to, not because everyone else is doing it. Goal setting can be done at any time of the year.

Break the thought pattern of jumping on the band wagon along with everyone else because you don’t have a goal picked for yourself. This time you’ve chosen for you, your life and your circumstances. 

If you want to accomplish something you need to work hard, plan and make it solid.

If you want to get in shape, read to the kids, play more and laugh harder you can’t do that on a flimsy last minute whim.

It didn’t get you there last year and it probably won’t get you there this year. #truth

Why Setting Goals Is Important

Goal setting is important especially if you have been setting new year’s resolutions for years and not reaching them.

Setting goals helps us rebuild our self-esteem, feel accomplished, and sometimes pushes us beyond our personal boundaries!

Setting goals is vital because:

• They help you move forward in your life.
• They give you the inspiration to aim for the things that seem impossible.
• Setting goals helps you figure out what you want.

In order to set and reach your goals you need a plan by you for you. You need it to be simple. You need it to be doable.

You need to rebuild your self confidence and trust in a system that works. Build a solid foundation. Take the time to think it through and take action.

Goal setting doesn’t have to be hard.

Need more help reaching your goals? Join in How To Reach Your Goals: The 5 Day Free Goals & Accountability Challenge and get a step by step plan emailed directly to your inbox.

Make it practical, make it simple.

You can do it!

Take care

Jen

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