New Years Resolutions

At Military Spouses of Strength we have spent the last few weeks setting goals for the New Year, people like organizations need to be strategic in the goals that are set in order to prepare themselves for success.

A new year for many equates to being able to start fresh, anew. I recently read that forty-five percent of Americans will make a New Year’s resolution; setting goal(s) to achieve over the course of the next 365 days. But so many of us are generic in the goal we would like to achieve that only eight percent of us will stick to and obtain our goals by the following New Year.

This could be because we aren’t taught how to create obtainable goals. At Military Spouses of Strength we like to use SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely) goals to ensure our successes.

Specifically chose the goal that you would like to achieve. Then determine the tools that you will use to get you to the finish line. Will you have an accountability partner? Bring them in on helping you write out your game plan.

Ensure that your goal is measurable. What are the metrics over the course of the year you would like to hit? Having measurable goals, and measures will help you to gauge your progress as you work toward your goal.

Are your goals attainable or are you setting yourself up for failure, by choosing goals that you are likely not able to attain by the following New Year? If they are attainable, again, readdress how you will attain the goals that you are creating for yourself.

Realistically, speaking, how likely are you to achieve your goal?? Are you setting out to walk on the moon or jog around the block? We are raised to believe and teach others that we can do anything we set our mind to- but we must think in terms of reality for the goals in which we hope to overcome. If we set unrealistic goals, goals we aren’t able to hit the metrics through-out the year, then we are likely to bruise our own egos.

Lastly, setting timely goals will aid you in your New Year success. Set marks through the year that will let you know how you are traveling on your road to success. What is the likelihood that you will be able to attain the goal by the end of the year? If your goal isn’t attainable think about reducing the goal to a smaller section, which you will be able to achieve by the next year.

Here are a few more tips for choosing your New Year’s Resolutions.

• Regardless of the goal that you are setting, do it for you. If your heart isn’t in “it,” likely your goal will be harder to achieve.
• So often, we chose goals that relate to something negative about ourselves. This can be discouraging. So instead of “losing weight,” change your goal into “becoming a healthier me.”
• Don’t think in terms of absolutes. Instead of I will go to the gym every day, use those metrics we talked about earlier.
• Limit the number of goals that you make, the more there are on your plate the less likely you are to achieve success.

Whether your goals are physical, spiritual or mental in nature, we wish you success and many blessings in and throughout the New Year.