Making SMART New Year’s Resolutions
December 28, 2008
Let me give you the one plan you need for your New (or not new)Year’s Resolutions.
It’s so simple it might seem ridiculous.
But really, resolutions are all about changing your habits
and habits are just things we did yesterday and the day before
and the day before that.
The same can be said about beliefs that we hold. Beliefs are just thoughts that we keep thinking over and over.
And since it takes 21 days to instill a habit (or a belief)and only 72 hours to break one, the only big commitment on your part is to tow the line for 3 weeks.
That’s it.
All you have to do is make it to January 21st.
Make it 3 weeks and you can be your whole new you, the new improved you.
If you can make it 3 measly weeks
you will make profound changes that over time
will lengthen and improve your life.
Here’s what you need to do.
I use the acronym S.M.A.R.T.
as a way to getting to your New Year’s goals even if you’ve never been able to stick with it before.
S=make Specific goals ,such as I want to lose 2 lbs per week for a total of 20 pounds weight loss, NOT I need to lose all this weight I gained after the baby.Be specific, the more details the better.
M=Measureable-set goals that you can measure.”I will run 2 miles in 20 minutes;I will do 30 minutes on the elliptical at level 6″, NOT “I’ll work out more every week.”
A=Accountable-Tell loved ones about your plan. Ask them to help keep you on track in a loving way. Give your buddy a hundred bucks and tell him to give it back to you at the end of the month if you stick with your plan.Or get a wellness coach like me to keep you on your plan.
R- be Realistic-Don’t try to weigh what Anjelina weighs. Don’t expect to fit into your wedding dress in two months if it took you 20 years to get out of shape.
T=Trackable-Can you keep track so that you can see your progress? Mark it on the fridge calendar so you can admire the little check marks every time you open the fridge. Track your progress so that you can see your improvement over time
Habits, good or bad make us who we are. The key is controlling them.
If you use these tips to change your habits then even a small effort creates big improvements,
including helping you not get diabetes,arthritis, have a heart attack or get cancer or any other age-related, lifestyle related disease.Did I mention staying younger for longer
which includes not dying sooner?
Say you want to stop coming into the kitchen after 8pm at night. Pick a trigger(some coaches call them anchors) like counter push ups or deep breathing with stretches
and vow to do 20 of ‘em if you enter the kitchen after 8pm.
This reinforces your good new habit of fitting in exercise AND reminds you of your commitment to ending night time eating.
Sure your kids might think you look silly but they probably think a BOB (belly over belt) looks sillier.
Little changes, over the course of months, amount to big improvements, it’s just a matter of being SMART about how you tackle your goals.
Try if for 3 weeks and check back with me on January 22nd, if a bit of accountability helps.
Did I say Happy New Year?
Make this year your very best.
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