Simple, realistic goals lead to success

By Carey Stites

As 2019 comes to a close, the inevitable New Year’s resolutions loom. Mobilizing willpower to achieve these goals typically brings about thoughts of defeat before the New Year even begins. This time, however, you can embark on the path to success and position yourself to improve your life by taking several important steps.

Simplicity is key
Rather than considering overhauling resolutions, which range from changing personality characteristics to behaviors, think simple. When contemplating resolutions, take time to reflect on the fleeting year and look at what areas could use positive changes; focus on one, perhaps two, goals for the upcoming year. Choose carefully. Overhauling your entire lifestyle can inevitably set you up for guilt, disappointment and defeat.

Be realistic
The next step in the process is to bring reality into the picture. Visualize the resolutions you are considering and think through the process of achieving them. What are the daily steps involved, and can you incorporate these into life? Perhaps this could refine your resolution or result in a new one. Bring in your previous experience with resolutions and think about what stopped you from achieving them. Having a big vision is an integral part of change, however, realistically setting goals that incorporate reality is crucial to success.

Set goals
Speaking of goal setting, this could be the most essential part of devising an achievable New Year’s resolution Planning and creating domino-effect goals can make success imminent; vow to set simple, realistic small goals that snowball into long-term success.
For example, instead of resolving to “lose weight” or “save money” try setting a goal to “lose 15 pounds” or “save $500 this year.” Concrete, measurable goals omit the gray area of achievement and can motivate you to reach the ultimate goal. Set clear, concise short-term goals and be sure to self-check your progress periodically to stay on track.

Time is of the essence
The second part of the goal is setting a time frame. Short-term goals help assess progress and whether your actions are moving you in a positive direction. Instead of “lose 15 pounds,” with a realistic time element, the goal becomes “lose 3 pounds a week,” which is a smaller goal leading to your ultimate resolution to “lose 50 pounds.”
Want to save money? Set a goal of saving $10 a week by bringing your lunch to work. At the end of the month, you’ve saved $40. Plan your daily actions to accommodate your timeline and evaluate at the end of each period.

Embrace support but retain control
Finding a support system is critical to long-term goal achievement but choose your support system wisely. Enlist help from trustworthy people who understand your goals and will say the right words to keep you on track. Another option is to join a support group, work with a professional or seek religious/spiritual guidance. These people can also be a source of new ideas and strategies to reassure you during challenging times.
While having a strong support system is imperative, equally important is the realization that you are in control of your actions and employing the changes needed to achieve your resolution. Situations out of your control can veer you from your goal; however, confidently recovering from detours and positively taking responsibility provides self-reliance to stay on course.

Celebrate success without sabotage
As each milestone is accomplished, celebrate. Meeting “small” goals is an integral part of the big picture and recognizing each step on the way to success is worth acknowledging. Just remember to be realistic when selecting the reward. For example, don’t use a food-based reward after losing 5 pounds. Instead, buy yourself a new outfit or accessory using a preset budget.

Stay in the game
Always be positive and affirm you can change your lifestyle and devise a plan with realistic and specific goals and meet them. Falling off the wagon can happen, which is why it is crucial to avoid negative thoughts and statements such as “I will never be able to lose this weight” or “I can’t do this anymore.” When tough situations arise, pull on your self-confidence and lean on your support system; reflect on past achievements and allow those victories to push you forward. Forgive yourself, forget negativity and reset your course for success.
Now you have a game plan for not only discovering your New Year’s resolution, but how to achieve it and improve your life in the upcoming year.

Carey Stites is a registered and licensed dietitian and certified person trainer working for Wellstone Health Partners in Harker Heights.