As we're kicking off the first week of the new year, I'm sure your social media feeds are full of "New Year, New Me" posts and talk of resolutions. I'll admit, I'm guilty of picking a new year's resolution each year, and like most, I typically fall short before January is even over.
I personally love the idea of reflecting on the past year and thinking of new things to improve on for the coming year. I think it's just human nature to want to make positive life changes, and the new year is such an appealing time to start. However, thinking of things that you'd like to improve on and actually taking the necessary steps to change requires some work. I typically fall short in achieving my resolution because I hastily select a resolution and then never create any serious plan to achieve it. This year, however, I thought long and hard about things I wanted to change, chose attainable goals, and put a plan in place to achieve them.
Notice that I referred to my resolution as a goal this year instead of a resolution. The definition of the word resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something. For me, a resolution seems so definitive. You either will or you won't. There's no room for slip-ups, growth, or flexibility. If you're super disciplined and can just do what you initially say that you will, then that is phenomenal. Me, on the other hand, I tend to fall off the wagon now and then, and once I've broken my resolution, I feel like I've failed and typically trash the whole idea.
A goal is defined as the result or achievement toward which effort is directed. In my mind, a goal gives me more flexibility. It's a constant reminder that I can only achieve my goal if I put in the effort. Some days I feel motivated and put in a lot of effort, and other days I may not put in any effort at all. Either way, one day won't make or break my success. I choose whether or not I will follow my plan of action to achieve my goals, and the outcome is determined by how consistent I am with my choice.
On a recent Living Local Carolina Segment, Show Host, Rainee and I did some Goal Setting by creating Vision Boards for 2021. One of my goals for 2021 is to drink more water. I created a plan with several steps so that I'm more likely to achieve my goal.
In preparation for making the change to drink more water, I bought several new tumblers to keep in my house, car, and office. By having a cup at each place, I can avoid accidentally leaving my cup somewhere and having to go without.
It's easy to say," I want to drink more water," but what does "more" really mean? To achieve my goal of drinking more water, I have to be more specific. The suggested amount of daily water intake is eight glasses/cups, which is 64.oz of water. My new tumblers hold thirty ounces of water, so I have a daily goal to drink at least two and a half tumblers a day.
The key to achieving my goal is discipline. I have to hold myself accountable. I love diet coke, so actively choosing water instead is difficult for me. I've also tried to occasionally order water at restaurants or other places that I would typically get a diet coke. Although it is a small substitute, it's another excellent way to exercise discipline and make the active choice to drink more water. After a while, like all life changes, drinking water and filling up my tumbler several times a day will become a habit and won't require as much consistent effort.
You can achieve whatever resolution (or goal) you've made for yourself this year. Making positive changes in your life requires you to take action; you have to prepare yourself, make a plan, and follow through. Give yourself the best possible chance of success by choosing an attainable goal and creating a plan that you can follow through with. Make 2021 your best year yet, but making positive changes to become the best version of yourself.