How to set goals that stick

Studies show that more than half of all new year’s resolutions fail. In fact, one out of three don’t even make it to February!🤯 So, if you’ve already slipped back into old habits, be assured that you are not alone.

But…

Don’t throw in the towel yet! You can still salvage your goals.

Here are some tips to get you back on track!

Stick to one goal

When it comes to goals, help yourself by keeping it to just one at a time. Trying to modify too many behaviors at once is overwhelming — and a good way to succeed at none of them, especially if you’re making major lifestyle changes. Start with ONE habit change at a time, until it really sinks in like muscle memory, then add another one.

Make your goals SMART

You’ve probably heard of SMART goals, but what does that mean? SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.

Specific – Instead of saying “I want to lose weight,” say “I want to lose 20 pounds by December 1st”

Measurable – If your goal is to lose 20 pounds, you’ll want to get on the scale regularly. But what if your resolution isn’t easily measured? Log your progress in a journal or take photos of yourself following your new routine. This will help you track your behavior and tie it to concrete results.

Achievable – Challenge yourself, by all means. But don’t be unreasonable. Unattainable goals only set up you for disappointment and failure.

Relevant – Make sure you’re pursuing your goal for the right reasons. Are you doing it because your spouse (or mother, or friends, or society) think you should, or because it’s important to you?

Time-bound – Set a timeline for your resolution, including incremental goals that you can measure along the way. If you’re making a lifelong change (say, quitting smoking), recognize and reward yourself for your hard work in the shorter term.

Some bonus tips:

Be flexible

Things don’t always work out as planned. Being open to tweaking your schedule or even your goals will help you keep your goals.

For example, say you decided to work out 3 days a week, and you start waking up an hour early to get it done before your day gets busy. But then you oversleep one morning and miss it. Do you say “Well, I blew it!” and throw up your hands? Of course not! Do it after dinner — or the next morning — instead!

Plan for roadblocks

You will inevitably encounter obstacles on the road to self-improvement. Be prepared for it!

Say your goal is to cut back on sweets, but you know that your kids don’t have the same goals lol. How will you handle it? Side note: I used to go into my pantry and reach for handfuls of chocolate chips!! To break out of that habit, you can’t just toss out the chocolate chips… but you CAN put them out of reach and away from your eyesight every time you go into the pantry! Set yourself up for success by putting tasty but healthy snacks that will satisfy your cravings without derailing your progress somewhere you can see them and grab them conveniently!

What GOALS do you have for this year?

🍏 Elise

Integrative Health Practitioner, level 2

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None of the statements on my blog, in my programs, or within my emails are intended to be medical advice. All of my content is based on my own experience and advice from my own doctor, and through my personal research. Always consult your Dr. if you have concerns or a medical need.