New Year’s Resolution – a phrase you either love, or hate. I fall into the “love” category and look forward to the fresh start of a New Year!
On January 1st, memes will pop up everywhere, reading something along the lines of “Watch out, the New Year’s Resolution Gym-Goers are coming!” or “My New Year’s Resolutions are to get Started on Last Year’s Resolutions.”
And, I get it. Something like only 8% of people who make resolutions actually accomplish them. But here’s what I would bet: they half-heartedly make a New Year’s Resolution with no plan to action it, so they kinda sorta attempt it with no immediate success and eventually give up or forget about it.
If that sounds like every New Year’s Resolution you’ve ever set, don’t despair and don’t give up on making them this year, as I have a plan to help you!
But first-why should you make a New Year’s Resolution?
My short answer? So you can have a happier and healthier new year!
My long answer? Well, us moms are very, very busy (duh!) and if you don’t do a review at the end of the year, along with a reset for the upcoming year, then you are going to spend all your time fulfilling other people’s demands (work, kids, husband, etc) and your own dreams and desires will not be a priority.
You’ll be a better mom and wife when you are happy and healthy, plus-you deserve to be the happiest version of yourself…right now!
I was a goal coach at a former job of mine so I have experience coaching people, and the number one tip I have is to make SMART resolutions.
What does SMART stand for?
S– Specific (get as specific as possible, as you need to be clear on what your goal is)
M– Measurable (you need to be able to measure and assess your goal)
A– Attainable (your goal should challenge you, but you also need to believe that you can achieve it)
R– Resonate (your resolution should excited you! Ex: If your New Year’s Resolution the last 5 years have been to lose 10 pounds and it never happens, how can you re-frame it to excite you? Would signing up (and training) for a half marathon be a better resolution that will still have a similar result?)
T– Time-frame (by setting a time frame you will create a sense of urgency to get started right NOW)
To get started, you can start thinking in big general terms of things that you want more of, or less of, in your life. From there, get as specific as possible! To the point that if someone else read it they could pinpoint your exact goal and when you hope to accomplish it by. Want some examples? Here are three New Year’s Resolutions I’m setting for myself for 2017, and how I turned vague ideas into specific goals:
New Year’s Resolution #1
Vague Goal: FINALLY get our digital photos organized and print out some photo books!
SMART Goal: Organize our digital photos by year, then print out the corresponding years into photo books from Shutterfly by June 2017. Give as a Father’s Day gift to my hubby!
New Year’s Resolution #2
Vague Goal: Be a more active and fit family!
SMART Goal: Hike twice a month as a family, every 2nd and 4th Saturday. (Schedule these reoccurring dates into the calendar NOW.)
New Year’s Resolution #3
Vague Goal: Use less toxic beauty products & toiletries.
SMART Goal: Use the ThinkDirty app to determine my most toxic products, and replace with a cleaner, less toxic version. Once a week, pick 2 products to asses and (possibly) replace.
Once you have your resolution(s) set, print them out, maybe even make a vision board for them, and hang them somewhere you will see a daily basis.
Having a constant visual reminder will help you with your plan to action, and you will be much more likely to accomplish your goals.
I LOVE hearing other people’s resolutions and hopes for the upcoming year! Please comment below with your SMART resolutions!
Have a healthy and happy 2017!
