Making (And Keeping) Your New Year’s Resolution
By: Ashley and Cilicia
As 2022 rolls around, it’s time to set up new goals for the year! Even if you will most likely not keep them. Instead of going for the usual “working out everyday” or “sleeping earlier”, try to set some realistic goals you know will be attainable. By using the SMART acronym, you achieve your goals by making sure it’s reasonable and that you’ll actually attempt to achieve it!
Specific: Your resolution should be straightforward and not broad. This way, you’d actually have something you’re achieving and not a generalized idea. Instead of thinking “working out everyday”, ask yourself, “How much do you want to workout? What are you trying to achieve?”. A more specific goal is “doing 20 pushups everyday to gain upper body strength”.
Measurable: It’s always important to make sure your goal is something you could achieve overtime. Especially with something like losing weight! One of the best ways to ensure this is keeping track of your progress. Have a journal where you jot things down or even take pictures!
Achievable: This doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have goals that are out of your reach. However, it’s important to take little steps instead of jumping straight into the big picture. For example, having the mindset of becoming rich may be unattainable but putting $50 aside every month could be. That way, you won’t be frustrated and the goal could be more easily achievable!
Relevant: Oftentimes, individuals set goals that don’t matter to them, and are out of the influence of society. Be sure you do make a goal you actually want to keep, or something you have a passion for!
Time: Similar to achievable, your timeline to reaching your goal should be fairly realistic. Instead of achieving something all at once, give yourself some time and possibly set smaller goals along the way. Things don’t happen overnight, they happen gradually.
Regardless of your New Year’s Resolution, follow these steps to ensure success! Don’t get discouraged if you don’t succeed right away. Instead, learn from your mistakes so you can do better next time! Last but not least, Happy New Year and happy goal making!