Stop Making A New Year’s Resolution And Do This Instead

New Year's Resolution
Have you ever succeeded with your New Year’s resolution? Nope, me either. 
 
Every year millions of people make a resolution of change for the new year knowing that they will never keep it, so I’m here to validate that and say, stop making New Year’s resolutions! You should do this instead.
As we get to know each other here on this platform, you will find out very quickly that I am one of the most hyper-organized people around. Plans, lists, and daily goals are my mantra.
 
So why can’t I stick to a resolution? Simple. They are a set up for failure. 

Why I Hate Making A New Year’s Resolution

New Year’s resolutions are setting you up for failure and I am not a fan of failing. I prefer to set myself up for success and with that, I always choose to make a list of New Year’s goals that are obtainable, quantifiable, and adjustable. Ever since I have started making goals, I always complete at least some of them.

“New Year’s resolutions are setting you up for failure and I’m not a fan of failing.”

Goal setting is a way of life for me and I hope, through this blog, you will join me. Psychologists agree that having goals to work toward is a healthy mindset. 

None of us are perfect but working away at the little things on a daily basis, we can make huge changes in our lives. 

What I find with a New Year’s resolution is that I know I will fail and that just reminds me of any shortcomings that I have. It’s a reminder that I am not perfect. I know that. I don’t need a reminder. Do you? 

Why Make Just One Change In The New Year?

Here is the other thing. Making one New Year’s resolution puts all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak.
 
By making a list of ten or twelve things that you want to accomplish over the next twelve months, it gives you permission to choose what you are working on at any given point throughout the year. 
While I may get close to completing some things, I also may achieve my goals on three or four other things. Both ways are a win and I am accomplishing something along the way. 
This also allows me to make goals that aren’t huge life changing goals. Although they are smaller, they still need to be given attention. This year I am making time to catch up with my friends from whom I have been sheltered away during the pandemic. Just meeting and having a nice lunch to catch up. That’s a goal, not a resolution. 
a photo of two ladies having lunch

photo by Ron Lach via Pexels

This Isn't News, Why Are You Telling Me This?

I am taking the time to reiterate the obvious on this post as it is one of the first few posts in my blog. If you are coming on this journey of self-renewal, goal setting should be at the top of the list of things to do.
Without goals and a plan of action, it does not matter how many blogs you read. Nothing will be accomplished.
 
Setting goals requires small steps so I am including a Goal Setting PDF to my resources page. Please check it out. It’s free!

The art of completing goals is not one that many people understand. It can be overwhelming if you make your goals too broad and without milestones. So it is important to have a layout that is helpful to plan your course.  

It's Never Too Late to Start!

Don’t worry if you are reading this in the middle of the year either. You can start a New Year’s Goal anytime!
 
I am a big believer in setting aside three or four times every year to “breathe and reboot”. I always do this at the start of the summer, and the end of the summer and of course at New Years.
 
Give yourself the time and PACE to accomplish these goals and don’t forget to breathe and reboot as necessary. Good luck!

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Ellen Phillips

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