Why We Aren't Making New Year's Resolutions This Year

If you’re like a lot of people, then you may be thinking about making a New Year’s Resolution this year. Before you do, we want to urge you to reconsider how you are making those resolutions. There’s a reason a lot of resolutions don’t work.

Good news though!

We have some simple steps you can take so you aren’t making a resolution, but you ARE achieving your goals.

Why We Aren't Making New Year's Resolutions This Year

Why resolutions don’t work

According to a 2016 study, of the 41% of Americans who make New Year’s Resolutions, by the end of the year, only 9% feel that they have successfully kept those resolutions.

Why do you think that is?

Often times people are vague when coming up with their resolutions…

“I want to be healthier.”

“I want to lose weight.”

“I want to get more sleep.”

Notice anything about these comments? They aren’t very specific. How do you want to be healthier? How much weight do you want to lose and how much more sleep do you want to get?

They also don’t come with any action plans to achieve those resolutions. Great, you want to be healthier! How are you going to get there? What are you going to do to lose weight and get more sleep.

We say this often, but when you don’t have a plan in place, it’s extremely difficult to achieve your goals. If you want to be healthy, but don’t have a specific definition of being healthy than how are you going to know whether or not you actually achieved your resolution.

What we are doing instead.

Okay, so resolutions don’t work. Should you just give up?

NO!

The idea of resolutions is actually a good one. And although we don’t suggest tying yourself down to a specific start date, it’s nice taking time each year for a fresh start and to take a look ahead and see what you can accomplish.

1.Reflect

If you’re someone who has a difficult time keeping resolutions or achieving your goals, it’s a great idea to reflect on what you’ve done in the past and see what you can change. One way you can brainstorm is to try a SWOT analysis on your goals. SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

List out your strengths that’ll help you achieve your goal… maybe you’re a morning person or you enjoy going to fitness classes with friends. Then, list out your weaknesses… maybe you easily come up with excuses to not get your workout done or you aren’t a morning person. Then, move onto opportunities… maybe you’ve received a free week to try at an amazing local fitness studio with a variety of classes in person and virtual ;). Finally, finish with threats… maybe your job frequently changes or your kids’ schedule is busy.

When you identify your strengths, weaknesses and things that stand in your way or even help, then you are better able to see clearly how you can achieve your goals.

2. Look ahead

Map out what you want to achieve. You can start with writing down some words that define how you want to see yourself over this next year. Where do you want to focus. Maybe you want to focus on your health. Maybe you want to focus on getting stronger or building your endurance. Maybe you want to focus on your nutrition.

While writing down these words and where you want to see yourself, take some time to write down your WHY. Why do you want to achieve these goals? Why do you want to be healthier or lose weight or eat better? When you have that why the importance of your goals and why you really need to work on them becomes clear.

3. Plan ahead SMART

Now it’s time to write those goals. Remember, instead of vague goals that are difficult to measure, you want to focus on SMART goals. Specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound.

Give yourself a deadline. Instead of giving yourself the entire year for a resolution, give yourself a shorter window of time with a more specific goal. Once you get to that deadline, then reevaluate your goals and adjust or expand upon them for the future.

4. Share your goals

Did you know that those with accountability partners are more likely to achieve their goals?

It can be tough work motivating ourselves. It takes a lot of willpower to wake up before the sun and get your workout on. You know what makes it easier? When you know someone is there waiting for you, counting on you to show up.

Grab an accountability partner, SHARE your goal, hold each other accountable! Join our facebook accountability group, grab a VIP call and/or come to class and meet others who are looking to achieve similar goals.

Ready to achieve your goals?! Join us for a free week of unlimited classes and get started today!