“Shoot for the moon. If you miss, you’ll still reach the stars.
Because resolutions are often health-related, I want to help patients follow through with them. I have gathered techniques from recent research to help you establish objectives that will stay around way past January. Read on for tips on creating and sticking with New Year’s resolutions.
Select and Frame Goals With Care
If you’re like most people, coming up with goals – from health and finances to family – is no problem. To determine which goals are most important, give each goal a priority. Focus only on one or two goals that top the list and frame goals around conditions over which you have as much control as possible. Goals based on personal achievement and acquiring skills or knowledge are more attainable than outcomes beyond your control.
While it is important to challenge yourself, you should choose only realistic goals. The saying, “procrastination is perfectionism in disguise” is true. You are more likely to tackle missions that you know you can actually complete.
For example, if your goal is fitness oriented, consider setting a goal of exercising each day rather than finishing in the top 10 of a race. With “outcome” goals, such as winning a race or being promoted at work, many factors are outside of your command such as ineffective management, bad weather, injury and others’ poor judgment can sabotage your success.
If You’re Afraid, Begin With Baby Steps
Have prior failures made you leery about whether you’ll follow through with your goal? Do you lack the inspiration to start or feel that you just don’t have enough time?
Relax, you’re not alone! Feeling overwhelmed by resolutions is not uncommon, but there’s a simple solution: I suggest you start by breaking down a goal into small, measurable mini-goal.
For example, the goal “lose weight” is much too vague and broad to inspire. Small, incremental steps to meet the primary goal are much more manageable. Each small step should be something that you can visualize, such as “make and consume only healthy dinners for the entire week” and “drink 8 glasses of water every day for a week”. When you read those two small steps it seems less monumental a task and it is certainly achievable…and these steps will actually help you lose weight.
Research shows that considering goals in terms of small, manageable increments is the best way to attain them. In a study performed in Ontario, Canada, researchers asked 96 participants to perform a complex task. Individuals who tackled the assignment by identifying and executing specific steps were much more committed than those with general goals to do their best.
The researchers explained that identifying strategies to accomplish the small steps increased the participants’ self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is an individual’s personal estimate of his or her own ability to reach a specific goal. The researchers found that self-efficacy further increased performance and determination (J Organizational Behav 200 1; 22:291-307).
Write Down the Game Plan
Write down the exact steps in detail along with a date for completion. Jotting down all the small steps avoids confusion and gives the mini-steps more force by crystallizing the process.
Your written list of small steps is your action plan. Research shows that framing goals around a plan with clear objectives is much more productive than thinking of goals as desires. One study, which included 188 participants, found that distinguishing between “desires” and “intentions” dramatically increased decision making and action. When individuals framed goals around clear intentions, rather than desires, they were much more likely to perform and take action. Seeing goals as intentions also decreased the time frame for achievement. (Eur J Soc Psycho! 2004; 34:69).
Keep Up Momentum
Review your to-do list of mini-steps daily. Incorporate this review into your morning routine. Don’t skip it, even if you’re off schedule. If you do veer off schedule, regroup and adjust your schedule. And, don’t be afraid to modify the small steps into micro-mini ones if you still feel overwhelmed. Keeping up momentum is important to self-confidence. Check off what you’ve done, and reward yourself for finishing the step by doing something healthy that you enjoy.
Predict a Sunny Forecast
You may remember Eeyore from the children’s book Winnie the Pooh. Eeyore’s mood was as blue as his coat, and his spirit drooped as low as his head and tail. He’s an extreme image of how negative thoughts can zap energy and focus. A positive mindset is key to goal success. Research shows that people with optimistic expectations are more likely to follow through with goals than those with negative predictions.
Positive statements, expressed either out loud or inwardly, propel creativity and energy to reach goals. Successful positive thinkers refuse to let small defeats bring them down. For instance, instead of saying “I skipped a workout this week,” say “I made all but one workout this week, and next week I’ll make all of them.”
Find a Coach
Consider finding someone to work with you toward your goals. Have him or her hold you accountable for specific weekly or monthly action steps. As you many of you know, I am a certified health coach. As a health coach my job is to help patients clarify health goals, identify why it is important to achieve those goals. I then help patients break down the goals into easy to conquer mini-goals with action steps to do so. Then I help keep them focused on the prize and give encouragement and alternative strategies in the face of obstacles. As a health coach I help my patients lose weight, quit smoking, improve energy levels, resolve or improve health issues such as poor sleep, hot flashes, digestive issues, arthritic conditions and much more.
Keep Quiet Around Naysayers
Carefully choose with whom you share your goals. Form a supportive network with upbeat friends, family members and co-workers who believe in you. But shy away from expressing your intentions to those with negative outlooks. Unfortunately, some people may not want you to succeed, and their mere attitudes can sabotage your efforts. Your inward dialog should be constantly encouraging.
Let Us Help
Our chiropractic office strives to teach patients how to prevent the chemical, physical and emotional causes of vertebral subluxations. Failure to achieve goals is an emotional stressor that may erode health. Don’t be afraid to talk to me about ways to reach your goals, especially if they’re health or fitness-oriented. We’re your partner in establishing a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Working toward goals is challenging and takes daily effort, but the payoff is rewarding and certainly worth the effort.
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Dr. Hoch (pronounced Hoke), is a 1988 Graduate of Peotone High School and a 1990 Graduate of Joliet Junior College. She received both her B.S. in Human Biology (1991) and her Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) (1993) from The National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, IL. She also received her graduate and post-graduate certifications in Acupuncture from NCC. This article is copyrighted and may not be copied or duplicated in any manner including printed or electronic media, regardless of whether for a fee or gratis without the prior written permission of Dr. Hoch.