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By Jennifer Templet, CrossFit Algiers Intern and Personal Trainer
With the new year approaching, you are probably starting to think about making new year’s resolutions. It’s the time of year to start reflecting on 2018 and think about what we can do differently in 2019 to improve ourselves, our happiness and our lives. “I want to lose weight,” “I want to travel more,” “I want to spend more time with my family,” “I want to quit smoking,” “I want to save more money.” Do you ever notice that sometimes, even before the month of February of the new year begins, people are already starting to give up on their resolutions?
Personally, I don’t make new year’s resolutions, to me they are more like goals, goals that people make that start on January 1st. But what good is a resolution or goal without a plan on how to reach them? For those of you that make resolutions or goals for the new year, here are a few helpful tips that will help you reach them:
- Make your goals attainable.
Setting a goal that is unrealistic can hurt your motivation and prevent you from reaching it. Set a goal that is the right balance between attainable yet challenging. Set monthly goals and set goals for the year. You are more likely to stick with a goal if it’s something that helps you steer your life in the direction you want.
2. Write your goals down and be specific.
Write your goals down on a piece of paper, in a planner, on a whiteboard, write them down in a place where you can see them often. Your goals become tangible objectives when you write them down.
3. Have a plan on how to achieve your goals.
Write down each step, this will help you have a clear strategy on how you are going to reach your goals. You can check off each step as you complete them and measure your progress along the way. This will also give you a roadmap on what to do next to help keep you on track.
4. Take action.
To help you reach your goals, I find that planning out your week is a great place to start.
5. Ditch the all or nothing mentality.
If you fall off the wagon, don’t quit, just do your best to get back on track. Putting a small amount of effort toward your goals is better than nothing. Celebrate small victories and don’t give up! Remember that you can make goals any time of the year, you don’t have to wait until the new year starts.
For 2019, I challenge you to invest in yourself. Life keeps us busy and we’re always doing things for other people, our kids, our spouses, our family, and sometimes we neglect ourselves. We want to be around for our loved ones, we want to be better husbands, wives, parents, friends, siblings, but if we aren’t taking care of ourselves, how are we supposed to be do that? Taking care of yourself and striving to reach your own goals will make you a better spouse, friend, child, and parent. Our examples have a far greater impact on those around us than anything we might say, and taking care of yourself means that you will be around longer for your loved ones. Be sure to make time for yourself each day to work towards your goals to attain the lifestyle that you want. Taking the time to invest in your personal growth empowers you to live the life you envision.
Happy New Year!