New Year 2018/2019: Why Setting Goals Is More Productive Than Resolutions.

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Goals vs. Resolutions

Resolution (noun); a firm decision to do, or not to do something

Resolutions are usually made on New Year’s Eve; full of good intent and determination.

Goal (noun); the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.

This year, I will be setting goals instead of resolutions. Notice in the description of a resolution- it is firm. A definite decision to do or not do something. This is probably why I never ever stick to any resolutions that I make.

I feel by setting goals, that they are more flexible. Goals are set for a desired result, and can be tweaked and amended throughout the year, because you know, life happens.

Anything that is a firm decision does not take into account any anomalies that life may throw at you. Let’s look at loosing weight for example:

Loosing weight for 2019

If you have been reading my blog since phase #1 in 2017, you will know that I have been trying (and having small successes along the way) to lose weight for years (you can read all about it here). The rhythm usually goes like this:

January - April *loses all the weight and feels amazing*
May - December *starts enjoying new body and eating all the good food on holidays and puts it all back on by New Year.
The cycle starts again every new year.

However, this year I am going to treat weight loss differently. Firstly, and most importantly, i should let you know that I am not doing this for any other reason than for me. I feel a little uncomfortable after over eating all December (yay for Christmas food!) but in my own body I no longer feel at a happy weight.

Because my life is busy, I will set mini goals for my weight loss instead of resolutions as they are more flexible and will fit in with my life more. Here’s how:

1) Instead of setting an unrealistic goal for pounds off each week, I intend to monitor it by my clothes and how I feel in my body. I’m not that bothered by what the scales say, I’m more bothered by how I feel in my body.

2) If I am eating well and I get invited to have a Chinese with friends - I’m going to! But then instead of beating myself up all week about eating a Chinese, I will enjoy the meal, and move back into my good eating habits the following day. Take it as a bonus that you’ve had good food rather than a hinderance to your diet.

3) I am travelling a lot this year. I will take advantage of the all inclusive options but inbetween I may try a new activity to get moving. For example, when we go to Tenerife in March, I will try Yoga in the nature reserve. Not only is this exercise, but imagine how good that will be for your mind and soul too.

I believe the key to this is to maintain a positive frame of mind and accept that life throws you curveballs. It’s how you deal with them, amend your goals accordingly, and keep yourself at the forefront of your goal and you will achieve.

Make Your Goals Realistic.

Setting realistic and achievable goals is the whole point. If you set unrealistic goals, you may end up defeating the object and feeling let down and disappointed by the end of the year. If you have one ultimate goal, think about the following things which might help you to determine if your goal is realistic or not:

1: Do I have the capability to do this?
2: Is my goal going to be sustainable?
3: Is my goal financially viable?
4: Is my goal going to affect myself or anyone else is a negative way?
5: Do I have the motivation to make my goal an achievement?
6: Am I organised enough? - this one is really important to me. Get yourself a good diary and write everything down! Here are a few I recommend below: 

Good luck with your goal setting this year - I hope you all achieve your dreams and I wish you every success for the new year.

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- Lea Bella x