January 15, 2020
The Secret to Keeping Your Resolutions
New Year’s Resolutions can be tricky to keep, but this all-too-common issue doesn’t have to be the case. It turns out this universal problem is simply the result of setting resolutions that are sky-high, hard to attain, and just plain unrealistic. So, are New Year’s resolutions ever possible to keep? And, more importantly, can they have a lasting impact? You bet!
The trick is to be honest, focused, and as realistic with your resolutions as possible. And our TaskHuman coaches are here to show you how that’s done. If you’re ready to switch up your resolution approach, keep reading…
Tip 1: Be Realistic
Most people don’t even realize that they need to do this step before they can implement any goal, let alone an annual resolution. And that’s why a lot of people who try to make resolutions in the beginning of the year end up failing by February – they’re simply missing this crucial tip. So, the first thing you must do is choose which goal you want to really accomplish next and focus just on that.
You’ll find this part of the process much smoother if you ask yourself these questions:
- What is easy to start today?
- What can I realistically fit into my current daily routine?
- What will my next goal be once I’ve accomplished this one?
(Which leads to our next tip…) Here’s how coach Haley Smith explains the importance of setting realistic goals.
Tip 2: Break it Down
Gather all of your goals and choose ONE. Break it down into small steps and work these into your daily routine one at a time. Then, once you’ve accomplished that one goal, move on to the next one. Trying to do everything at once can lead to overwhelm. When you focus on one step at a time, you experience these 2 main benefits:
- The compound effect. When you complete one goal and move on, you get to enjoy all of your successes as they build.
- Trust in yourself and your abilities. Completing goals you set for yourself builds the trust that you can accomplish pretty much anything you put your mind to.
The next thing you’ll want to do is make a list in order of doable steps. Keep it simple. One small step at a time. Here’s a nugget of help from coach Michelle Cooper when it comes to goals.
Tip 3: Reward Yourself
At this point, you might be wondering how to keep this going all year. This is the key: Motivation.
Whether we like it or not, most of us are driven by rewards of some sort. Being motivated to accomplish something is the secret sauce to getting to the finish line, no matter how small that prize is.
What are you working towards? Sure, a better life. Maybe to be a bit healthier. But, the trick is to involve something tangible upon follow through. Not just the reward of crushing your goals, but something to look forward to. Something to mark the completion. It can be small (like a gift or a simple experience) or big (like a vacation or large purchase). It can be related to the goal or just related to something you value. This is yours to decide.
Pro tip: Keep a photo or a reminder handy for the inevitable challenging moments you’ll experience along the way. For example, if your goal is to go to yoga once a week, keep a reminder nearby of the reward you’re working towards—whether that’s a catalogue filled with nice yoga outfits, a photo of a new fancy kitchen gadget you’ve been eyeing, or whatever else you choose to reward yourself with.
We can’t always rely on our willpower. That won’t get us past the first few days. And there’s no guarantee we’ll always be in the mood to do what we set out to do. Your motivation gets you over the speed bumps that are inevitable. Tangible motivation gives you a leg-up.
Here’s how coach Danielle Alex teaches goal-setting using rewards.
Conclusion
These coaches have mad it clear that when it comes to making changes, be realistic. Choose specific things that feel natural and doable NOW, and you’ll end up setting goals that you’ll actually accomplish. Hey, that’s the goal, right?
Bonus Tip! Rinse and Repeat
Each time you get to the reward part of a goal, choose a new one and start again. You’ll be amazed by how much you can accomplish by the end of the year. Want to get a double padlock guarantee? Add accountability to the mix.
There are tons of TaskHuman pros available for 1:1 live video calls at the time and place that works best for you. In just a few minutes, you’ll have a partner to help you get exactly where you want to be this time next year.
