Resolutions vs Goal Setting

Resolutions and goals 

Introduction:

We are now coming to a close in January and it's time to take a look at our first month of the new year. How many of us set resolutions this year? How are those resolutions going - are you still working on them or have you given up. In this blog I want to talk about the importance of looking at goals rather than resolutions. 

Resolutions:

There is always so much hope and drive as we enter a new year. What can we accomplish?How do we start new? Or even, how do I make this next year even better. This is great however unfortunately too many times we approach this with a reverse Cinderella complex and that everything will just be perfect after the clock strikes twelve. We have the greatest intentions when setting new year's resolutions, however seldom make them successful. In fact some studies show up to 92% of resolutions set are not successful. 

To understand this better let's look at definitions. A resolution is defined as a “firm decision to do or not to do something”. A goal is defined as “the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.” The definitions alone show a harsh difference between the two. When setting a resolution you are determining something you will or won't do, whereas in a goal it is more about working towards what you want. 

Why are we not successful?

It's interesting when looking at the reasons people are unsuccessful with resolutions. I read some articles on lack of motivation and the idea of goals being too big, or truly people don't want to change. I get it - however in reading those they sound more like excuses than reasons.  Some of the major reason i found are below:

I truly believe there are two reasons we are not successful in resolution and I see “we” because I am in the same camp. To the point until a year ago I was still setting my annual resolutions of eating better, more exercise, and better balance. ( I can honestly say I have no idea how many years I used these as resolutions and failed). Those two reasons are we lack self belief and that we don't have a plan be succesful. 

“You do not lack motivation - You lack Self Belief” Keyen Lage

Self Belief

Self Belief is the first one and the most important. When we struggle with keeping resolutions or growing as an individual we all have that little voice in the back of our head that shares a shadow of doubt. The question is do you listen to it? Do you also allow it to dictate where you are going. As my friend, Coach Keyen Lage shared in the above quote a couple weeks ago it is about who you feel and know who you are. If you were motivated, and it's something you really want - would you have even started if it was a lack of motivation. The problem is once we stumble on whatever our resolution is we let that voice convince us we could never do it and then we quit. 

I know personally this has my issue in my goals of living a healthier lifestyle. I have to remember that, I know that I can do this and make it a priority, by ignoring that voice of dis-belief. I also know if i am going to be successful i need to have a plan

Have a plan 

As I stated earlier I personally have started looking at resolutions differently and looking at them more as goals. So each year as I prepare for the new year, I come up with a list of things I want to accomplish, but importantly I work out a way to accomplish them. This way, if something happens and I stumble - I know that I can look at the overall plan and get back on it. This is also a way  that I help curve the voice of self doubt from popping up. 

This is not always an easy process or a flip of the switch when goal setting. It is a process one when you are working on what you achieve, you learn nothing comes easy and nothing happens overnight. 

Goal Setting 

There are so many tools out there about goal setting and how to be successful. One tool that I have found to work both in my business life and personal life are SMART Goals. To Be a smart goal it should be:

S - specific 

M - measurable

A - Achievable 

R - Relevant 

T - Time Bound 

These allow you to plan to be successful and not necessarily set you up to a pass or fail option. When setting my goals for the year I look at where I want to be by the end of the year and how do I measure success along the way. 

Just remember if you are part of the 92% that has stumbled on your New Year's Resolutions, that doesn't mean you don't have the opportunity to continue to make them happen. Take a step back, make a plan and find your own way to success.