The buzz of a new year brings about a freshness to our goals as if pushing that reset button on our barometer of success. Oftentimes, people have trouble following through on their resolutions due to things like: loss of motivation, injury, or lack of vision. Having worked with hundreds of our patients in helping them meet their health goals, we find that there are specifically researched strategies that have been proven to help your New Year’s resolutions stick. Here are just a few.
Set your “intentions” apart from your “desires”: Distinguishing between your goals vs. your intentions can make a big difference. Our desires tend to lay room for wishful thinking whereas intentions begin to solidify what we want. One study, which included 188 participants, found that distinguishing between “desires” and intentions dramatically increase the participants’ decision making and actions. Seeing goals as intentions decreased the time frame of achievement and increased their chances of success (European Journal of Social Psychology, 2004; 34:69).
Begin with baby steps: People often experience burn out just a few weeks after trying to achieve their New Year’s goals. Research shows that this tends to occur due to improper planning. A study in Ontario, Canada gave 96 participants the goal of performing a complex task. The researchers found that individuals who tackled the assignment by identifying small and specific action steps toward the achievement of their goals were more committed and motivated to follow through vs. those with general goals of doing their best (Journal of Organizational Behavior 2001; 22:291-307).
Find a Coach: Whether you’re a world class athlete or just starting a routine, I find that everyone needs some kind of coach to help them follow through on their goals. Whether it’s a buddy that helps you stick to your word or a professional coach to help you reach peak efficiency, everyone can benefit from coaching. Coaches can also help you find effective strategies that help you to isolate the most effective ways to measure your progress.
January is the time when people have the most motivation to lead and take new control of their life goals. With the right intentions, proper planning, and a great support team, you’ll have a great combination that will keep the momentum going.
P.S. For those of you who may be interested in joining a new community in 2008, a San Diego chapter of the national organization, Holistic Moms Network, will be hosting their open house on Tuesday Jan.29 at 6:30pm. The Holistic Moms Network is a resource and support network for like-minded individuals who are interested in holistic living. For more information, check out http://www.holisticmoms.org/ or call 858-558-0057.