After rounds of Christmas cookies and endless credit card bills, many people start the new year looking to “reverse the damage” and look for a more productive routine. They may even have ideas for eating healthier, exercising more, losing weight, paying off debt, saving money, or wanting a career transition or promotion. But according to US News & World Report, 80% of those who make New Year’s resolutions don’t keep up the momentum.
Since the motto “New Year, New You” rarely comes true, it can be daunting when unrealistic expectations stop having a real impact. To be part of this “VIP club” of 20% of people who actually get their New Year’s resolutions, however, Grand Rapids magazine has designed a list of 20 surefire ways to tackle your goals and intentions with life and career coaching tips for health. coaches and nutritionists from all over western Michigan. Let’s go!
1. Be SMARTIE
Often people can know what they want, but they don’t know how to go from A to B, so an action plan is needed. Make your goal specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely, intentional, and enjoyable as well.
2. Find your why
Instead of thinking, “I should lose weight” or “I should do a promotion at work,” find out the reason for what you want. If it comes from a sense of obligation, it will be harder to maintain your motivation. But having a reason behind the action that is important to you makes the trip more rewarding.
3. Expect barriers
The trip will include setbacks, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up. If you want to make professional transitions, you may need to take additional classes. This could impose a financial hurdle, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
4. Lean on the stand
Changing your life routines can be a difficult journey, but you don’t have to do it alone. Networking and talking to trainers, life coaches, or financial advisors can provide you with helpful tips on how to succeed along the way. Informing your friends and family of the action steps can also give you responsibility and encouragement.
5. Be patient
A dollar in the piggy bank won’t provide you with the house you’re saving, but the constant steps make the difference. It may be discouraging not to see results right away, but most changes occur over time through gradual changes.
6. Focus on one change at a time
It can be overwhelming if you jump too big or try to tackle too many goals at once. Instead of trying to follow a complicated, rigid diet, make small adjustments. Try bringing lunch home instead of eating out or switching from dessert with lots of sugar to fruit and tea after dinner. Once you feel like a habit, move on to the next step toward improvement.
7. Track your progress
Registry improvements, as well as difficulties, can raise self-awareness and help you evaluate your past successes and failures, allowing you to learn how to achieve your goals more quickly and efficiently.
8. Mark the calendar
Your scheduler does not need to be used only for business meetings and doctor appointments. Time management plays a role in what you achieve every day. If you have a coffee date with a friend or sign up for a month-long race, it becomes a priority that you will want to continue and encourage.
9. Celebrate small victories
No need to wait at the party. Recognizing and congratulating the milestones achieved along the way keeps the momentum strong. Did you receive a few interviews after submitting the applications in a vacuum? Did you go to the gym even though you had a stressful day at work? Have you saved a third of your vacation goal? Commemorate your progress. It will sweeten the journey.
10. Change your mindset
Accept where you are on the path. No need to doubt yourself. Interrupt your inner critic and show yourself a little care. Your tone, attitude, and mental motives can make all the difference when it comes to creating goals and intentions.
11. Guide the path
While support is essential to the process, your parents, boss, or teacher will not tell you what to do about self-improvement. Be proactive about what you want and take ownership of it. Other people may offer attention, advice, and help to connect the dots, but anticipate that you will be the one to do the hard work.
12. Get motivated by feelings
We all feel driven by our way of feeling. If you don’t feel well during the process, there is little chance that you will follow him to the end. If you hate running, biking or swimming, you don’t have to get into a triathlon. Try a dance or yoga class. You will be more motivated to do something long-term if you enjoy the activity.
13. No time limit
Just because a ball has dropped in Times Square doesn’t mean you have to start a resolution on the first day of January. Start at any time. If you realize that in April you want to change careers and start coding, do a workshop or start applying. Accept the flexibility that life offers.
14. Measure the conduits about the results
Resolutions often come from wanting a specific outcome, but making a sustainable plan will help you realize what you can control. “I’ll save $ 25 every week” is more measurable than saying, “I’ll pay off all my credit card debt.
15. Forgive yourself
It is normal to make mistakes and get off the track. You don’t need to be able to beat yourself up. The important thing is your ability to forgive yourself and learn how you can do better next time. Even if you didn’t go to the gym last week, the ones who achieve success in their resolutions are usually the ones who don’t let the slips change their progress.
16. Write it down
Don’t just think about what you want. Grab a pen and paper and write down what exactly you want. Writing down your intentions and planning the steps to achieve them can make it easier for you to remember your goals when life is busy.
17. Forget fear
Don’t be afraid to ask yourself serious questions about what excites you and what you can really see. Be honest with yourself. If you’ve always dreamed of starting your own business, figure out the first realistic steps you can take.
18. Be proud of the preparation
Do something nice for your tomorrow. Finding small ways to prepare in advance can help ease the process when developing new routines and habits. Eating out preparing or packing a gym bag the night before can help you the next morning when you run to work or school.
19. Have fun
Find out what brings you joy. Often, resolutions are about what you don’t like about yourself. Focusing on what you want in the future and what excites you creates a more positive direction for you. Stop negative thoughts and discover your curiosity. A new hobby could lead you to a new career.
20. Develop relationships
Even though you’re working on personal improvement, that doesn’t mean you can’t foster the relationships around you as well. Connecting with other people can not only be an advantage for you, such as when networking, but while helping the community, it also has the opportunity to encourage and inspire your goals and intentions. ‘other people.
Grand Rapids magazine compiled the above list with the help of Andrea Kasprzak, author of “Imagination Transforms Everything”; Aubrey Marlette, certified trainer and owner of Serendipity Life Design; Kimberly Gleason, founder of Blue Bridge Leadership; Anne Hamming, owner and founder of Anne Hamming Life Coaching; John Ybarra, senior health and wellness director at Greater Grand Rapids YMCA; Kara Mockler, MS, RDN, director of health and wellness at Greater Grand Rapids YMCA; and Grace Derocha, a registered dietitian and certified health coach at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Michigan.
Open the way
Looking for help keeping your New Year’s resolutions? These apps will keep you motivated.
Way of life: following habits
This app helps you create new habits or break new ones.
Happiness diary of gratitude
Remember what you are thankful for and work to improve your overall happiness.
Insight Timer: Meditation
This app includes guided meditation, music, and talks published by collaborating experts.
Eat daily food
Instead of counting calories, this app helps you keep track of what you ate, why you ate it, and how it made you feel, to help you improve your eating habits and health.