Crafting Ambitions for the New Year

We’ve made it through 2017! There have been highs and lows, but did you manage to stay on track with your goals, even with setbacks? Many of us would say no and then feel bad about it. So how about we set up 2018 to be the year where we can confidently say, “Yes, I achieved all my goals”? Sound good? Let’s do it!

Have you heard of S.M.A.R.T. goals? Most of us have come across this concept at some point, probably in school. However, we don’t always use these guidelines for our New Year’s resolutions. Our first tip is to use the S.M.A.R.T. system as a framework for creating your goals.

Your goal needs to be clearly defined. For example, “Lose weight” is too vague. How much weight do you want to lose? What pant size would make you happy? Maybe you want to lose 5 pounds to make your pants fit better, or you need to lose more because your doctor has advised it for health reasons.

When asked about your goal, you should be so specific that no one needs to ask follow-up questions. For example, “I want to lower my body fat by 3% by the end of the year because I want to climb stairs without getting winded, and I want to go hiking with my daughter in September.” That’s specific!

Next, your goal should be measurable. You need a way to track it. “I want to feel better” isn’t specific enough. What does feeling better mean to you? Why is it important? How will you know when you actually feel better?

Consider adding mindfulness to your goal-setting process. Being mindful can help you measure emotional and mental progress. It also makes you more aware of your choices and actions. For example, being mindful while eating can help you avoid overeating, and being present during workouts can improve results.

Your goal needs to be realistic. Forget about losing 40 pounds in two months; that’s neither healthy nor realistic. Set goals that are physiologically possible and fit into your lifestyle. Changing everything about your daily routine isn’t sustainable. Start with manageable changes, and keep at them consistently.

Make sure your goals are relevant to your life. For example, most of us aren’t professional athletes, so there’s no need to train or eat like one if that’s not your lifestyle. But if you’re planning to have kids, setting goals to improve your physical strength and endurance will be relevant.

Finally, set a time frame for your goals. Achieving 40 pounds of weight loss in a year is realistic—breaking it down to about 4 pounds a month sounds much more achievable, right? Think about your year ahead. Do you have trips or major events planned? Fit your goals around your schedule.

For instance, if you want to become a better runner and there’s a race in September, plan your training around it. With eight months to prepare, you could join a running clinic or gradually increase your running distance each month.

Any goal can be broken down into manageable steps. Just approach it using the S.M.A.R.T. method.

We’re here to help you reach your goals. If you have questions or need guidance, feel free to comment below or send us an email. We’re happy to direct you to the right resources or people to help you succeed.

Happy New Year, DIY Nation!