Most people try and set New Year’s resolutions but fail because they are not setting realistic or achievable goals. New Year’s Resolutions should follow the SMART system of goal setting in that they are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely so instead of saying that you want to lose weight, your goal would be that you want to lose ten kilos in six months for example and weigh yourself so you are able to measure how much weight you have lost. Studies show that people who write down their goals are three times as more likely to achieve them. Here are five New Year resolutions you should set in 2010.
Fitness
The New Year is a time when many people sign up for gym memberships or start an exercise regime but give up within the first month. It is easier to achieve your fitness goals when you have a game plan that is achievable and realistic and it is better to start slowly and build up to a routine than set yourself a gym schedule that will be unrealistic in the long run. Most experts agree that it takes about 21 days to create a habit and six months for it to actually become a part of your daily life and if you’re trying out a new class at the gym, most instructors advise you to try the class three times before you decide it’s not for you. You need to give a new exercise regime time and give yourself a chance to settle into a new routine.
Health
It’s always a good time to start to look after your health and wellbeing. You may want to exercise more, eat more healthy food and monitor your eating habits or do regular health checks. This is also a good time to set a New Year’s resolution to kick bad habits such as cigarette smoking, binge drinking or taking recreational drugs. A goal is easier to achieve when you have people supporting you so if you advise your friends, family and colleagues that you are on a new health kick, if they are true friends, they will help you achieve your goal and support you.
Wealth
It’s time to start saving whether you’re saving for a new car, holiday, house deposit or putting away funds for a rainy day. Set aside a strict budget of your weekly expenses including public transport, food, rent/mortgage, car payment, internet and phone bills and so forth and then deduct the money you earn each week to find out the maximum amount you can save. Even saving as little as $50 per week can lead to $2600 over a calendar year and you can use this towards a much hard earned holiday or put it towards your long term savings goals.
Career
The economy is starting to pick up and this may be the right time to find a job in the New Year, negotiate a payrise or change your career. It can very easy to become complacent or disillusioned that you will not find a better job. The New Year is the time to set yourself a new challenge and find a job. Money does not have to be your main motivator to find a job – you may find a job that is closer to home, has a work/life balance or fulfils you creatively.
Spiritual
The New Year may be a time to look at your relationships whether it is your partner, friends or family evaluate whether they are adding value to your life or taking up time and energy that could be invested into more worthwhile relationships. You may want to reassess your relationship with your partner who has been dragging their heels on commitment, address problems with a toxic friend or try and resolve a long standing family issue.
Setting measurable, realistic and achievable goals will help you reach them a lot faster and set yourself for a great New Year. Print out your goals and put them in a place where you can see them every day so you can keep on working towards those goals throughout 2010.