We know how important it is to set goals as individuals and as a troop, and with 2018 fast approaching, we thought it would be a good idea to talk about ways to set realistic resolutions for the New Year.
If you’re like me, around the winter holidays you start thinking about your resolution for the new year but quickly start to ask yourself, “Wait… did I even complete my resolution for this current year?!” People often put pressure on themselves by choosing lofty resolutions like losing a certain amount of weight or no longer eating a certain food group.
But we forget that, as humans, we are creatures of habit. We stick to what we know and it’s sometimes very hard for our brains to quickly change. Did you know it takes about 21 days for the brain to change a habit?
Part of my problem with choosing a resolution is that I don’t give myself time to adjust during those 21 days. I set a far-fetched end result, but I don’t plan out how I will arrive at the result. Does this sound like anyone else out there?
Here are a few tips on setting healthy resolutions we might actually stick to:
Be sensitive
When talking about resolutions, especially goals that focus on health and wellness, it is important to remember to be sensitive to how we perceive ourselves and how we believe others see us. When talking about healthy resolutions, the last thing we want is to get the impression that a mentor sees us in a negative light or that we should harshly critique ourselves. Instead, open the conversation by deciding what you think is a healthy resolution. During this conversation, talk about both yourself and the idea of a healthy resolution in a positive way.
Brainstorm together
Sticking to a resolution can often be easier when we have someone to do it with us. Take some time to brainstorm with another person or a small group about resolutions you can do together. Once you come up with a resolution that everyone is interested in, set up a way to keep each other accountable. This could be calling or texting each other to check in or writing down what you did to keep the resolution and sharing it. There are so many ways to work together on a resolution, so find what works for you!
Get specific
If you say you want to drink more water, ask yourself what steps you can take to meet that goal. Figure out what you want as your baseline and final goal. If you’re currently drinking two glasses of water a day but would like to drink eight glasses a day, work with your accountability partner to figure out a schedule that will help you reach your goal over a few weeks or months.
By setting a resolution and then determining steps to reach that goal, we will not only feel proud of our accomplishments but will also develop healthy habits in the coming year!