It’s the second week of February and looking around the gym the ‘New Year Resoluters’ are fading fast! In fact in January 50% of people have given up on their New Year plans, whilst 80% have stopped by mid February.
In January I was motivated to set myself some challenges for the New Year, however, on reflection I haven’t started any of my New Year Resolutions. Even though I am proud to say I haven’t had an alcoholic drink since December, I was determined to read the long list of books I have been saving for ages. And importantly to find some ‘me time’. Even with good intentions I have not started and we are flying through February!
I question ‘why?’
Why do so many people fail so quickly, especially at the start of the year? That is not a great mindset to continue the year with, failure… Falling short straight away after a busy Christmas break won’t motivate anyone to continue for another 11 months. Are we just too exhausted after Christmas to consider something new? Is it better to start after we have recovered from the previous year, perhaps February would be a better time to start, after a time to reflect?
It is time to review, re-evaluate and reset your current situation.
I was teaching in the classroom at the weekend, to a lovely group of students about goal setting in the fitness industry and it dawned on me. I didn’t clearly make a goal, a New Year resolution is a target, it is an aim, and it is a habit you want to create. Straight away the first thing you need to do is review your wants and break it down into something manageable and specific enough to guide you.
My goal to read more.. well what is more? How often? What is it I am reading, because I read a lot for work, but does that count?
I have been teaching this for a long time, and sometimes I loose direction and forget to do it for myself. There are many different ways you can set yourself goals. Whether it is SMART, POWER, HARD, process focused, short, medium or long term, requires visualisation. It could be personal, academic or behavioral.
Regardless of how you set yours. You won’t achieve anything unless you have that clear direction. You will just continue to wonder, dawdle on your journey.
Only keep a small list of goals to maintain your focus. No one ever wants to achieve a mediocre result with a lot of tasks. You want to be the best version of yourself with a few powerful results.
Figure out the strategy. Ensure you have considered the barriers and have come up with some kick-arse actions to conquer and gain support from others.
There is a quote I have recently come across which I plan to use to help keep focus, clarity and ambition.
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars."
- Les Brown
Dream bigger than big and stay motivated. Comfortable isn’t what kept the 20% achieving their New Year resolutions. Get out of your comfort zone. Imagine the happiness rather than the feeling of failure so early on in the year. Shape that person you want to be and keep moving.
The most popular New Year resolutions out there are all about health, fitness, wellbeing, new experiences as well as looking and feeling great. Why wouldn’t we want to achieve this? Let’s keep on the pursuit.
