January 2008 Newsletter
What’s In a Resolution?
It’s that time of year again where many of us identify changes we want to make in the New Year and two weeks into it we’ve lost interest. Do you set the same goals every year with no actual resolution? Do you ever feel guilty, disheartened, or angry with yourself for not meeting your “resolution?” What went wrong? Sound familiar?
What does resolution mean?
Webster says a resolution is “a formal expression of opinion or intention, and the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.”
Let’s look at this definition one step at a time:
Intention: This means having a strong sense of purpose for the goal that we mean to carry out. When we set our intention, we have given thought to why we want to achieve this goal (e.g., I want to eat healthier to protect myself from medical conditions related to excess weight). When we set a goal because someone else thinks we should, it is not our goal until we decide to set our intention, own our decision, and are clear about why we are making it.
Course of Action: Now that we have set our intention and goal, we need to have a map or course of action that will get us there. The course of action helps keep us on track. We take one step at a time – that is, decide what foods we want to eat and why, identify the nutrients and the value to us. We set up our goal and start/finish dates, add the tasks to be done, enter our checkpoints, identify rewards along the way and ask for support.
Tasks: Write down the goal and all of the steps. Multiple little steps are easier to accomplish than one big step (e.g., I will aim to lose 1-2 pounds per week vs. I will lose 100 pounds by next September).
Prioritize your tasks and make them measurable (e.g., by February 1, I will have stopped eating donuts at work). When we write these steps down, we have something tangible to refer to and so do our supporters.
Rewards: When we set intermittent rewards for success we increase our chances of fulfilling the goal. Setting small significant rewards (e.g., a new book, if we loose 10 pounds) establishes motivation when the effort starts waning. By keeping the goals short and meaningful, effort is refueled and consistent.
Support: When you set a goal that has been difficult to attain in the past, you may want to ask for support. Support can come from friends, spouses, teachers, and other significant people in your life. When asking for support, bear in mind that it’s useful to tell them how they can support us. For example, maybe you want them to tell you when you’re on the right on track, or give encouragement when you seem to flounder, or provide check in points to discuss bumps in the road, or simply wait for you to come to them for support. Choose people to support you who you know will be honest, kind, compassionate and dependable.
Coaching: Are you ready to set your intention, goals, tasks and rewards? I am ready to walk with you and keep your vision of success in the forefront. My passion is to support you all the way with the right tools and the motivation to succeed. Don’t let another year go by with unfulfilled goals; you deserve to attain your dreams! Call me today!
Maureen