A fresh new start isn’t a new place, it’s a brand-new mindset, right? But the idea of ‘resolutions’ can usually be so unachievable and rarely pan out long term because we typically are so all-or-nothing with them.
In most cases, we end up feeling disappointed in ourselves when we ‘fall off’ or ‘fail’, and that can’t be healthy for our well-being. There can be a lot of pressure around the beginning of a year: be better, do more, have this, and lose that. So how about we all soften up and give ourselves the benefit of the doubt because we are still only ‘human’ and cannot fulfil all that we attempt to plan or do, and that’s okay!
We can avoid falling from grace if, this new year, we make it a priority to give ourselves a little more mercy and an ounce more love than we did last year. And for the population of us who agree that the journey to self-improvement can feel like a hike up Mount Everest in flip-flops, fear not! We are ready to make those resolutions a success story by upending the status quo, so you don’t wind up feeling burn-out in just the first month.
A past-year resolution check is all it takes!
The first step is to think back a little before committing fully to this year’s resolutions. Do you recall the self-promises you made the previous year? Yes, those. How did it happen? Your key to making things right this time may lie in figuring out where things went wrong.
Establishing a resolution for the new year is like pressing the pedestrian button at a busy crosswalk: it’s essentially useless, but you still do it. We go through the same scenario every year. Some people find success with resolutions. But others usually experience a downward spiral. It’s like you swear an oath to yourself, and then you snap it off quickly. Does that leave you deeply guilty? I would assume so.
Resolution critics can find comfort in the fact that they haven’t been trending lately. In a poll of over 2,000 British adults conducted last year, just 14% said they intended to set resolutions on January 1st.
According to Strava data, most people will have started to give up on their resolutions by the middle of January. All that may be true, but you can still make resolutions work for you, according to experts, so don’t worry if you’re still drawn to the “idea” of making objectives for yourself in the new year.
Give good thought to your resolutions
Although creating resolutions may indeed seem quite whimsical, it can really help to consider what you want out of them before setting them. As long as they are grounded in reality, resolutions can offer “clear direction” for the upcoming year, according to Jill Cotton, a career trends analyst at Glassdoor. “Take some time to consider how you want your life or career to change in 2023 rather than jumping into a resolution that might feel overwhelming or out of date,” the expert advises. “The preparation work will give you a positive outlook on the next steps.”
Humans are naturally inclined to search for answers quickly, often without giving the problem much thought. So to figure out what form of resolution would work for you, ask yourself a series of questions.
You might choose to begin a daily meditation practice, for instance, but why? What is the underlying reason that we are trying to treat here? Perhaps you need to get enough sleep? Is your current relationship not meeting your emotional requirements? You could be spending way too much time looking at a screen. Or do you require some ritualistic consolation? Is it possible that you don’t feel like yourself?
Goal-setting without first determining why you want to accomplish it can leave you feeling directionless. Whatever your answers may be, interrogate them. No, it’s not ridiculous; it’s helpful. You’ll end up with much more truth than you thought you would.
Make your New Year’s resolutions SMART
Whatever your personal objectives may be, taking a course for professional development, honing your team leadership abilities, starting and finishing a new book, getting a promotion, etc., well-defined and well-maintained goals can fall under a systematic structure dubbed SMART. Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound is what SMART stands for. Now let’s determine if your current New Year’s resolutions align with these five criteria.
Being specific is the key to successful New Year’s resolutions
Let’s take a potential career goal as an example. First, paint a clear picture of your goal by pinpointing the key players (you and your boss), the ambition (landing that promotion to be head of your department), the arena (is it within or beyond your current workplace?), and the heart behind it all (bringing forth financial security and fueling your career passion). Ditch the vagueness, so you can keep the drive alive and active on your path to leadership and success.
Are your resolutions equipped with a touch of measurability?
Creating a plan that tracks your development and determining your level of achievement is the next step. Setting up measurable indicators for your New Year’s resolutions will not only help you know when you’ve reached your overall goal, but it will also break down the large aim into manageable pieces, which will ease your anxiety.
Can your goals do a victory dance in the realm of achievability?
Amid New Year’s enthusiasm, we often set overly optimistic goals that, in the long run, can discourage rather than motivate. Your professional goals should strike a balance that is challenging enough to push you beyond your comfort zone but not so overwhelming that they’re beyond your capabilities.
If your goal seems attainable but the timeline or resources are unrealistic, make adjustments. For instance, instead of aiming to finish a 350-hour course in two weeks, break it down—complete one module every two weeks and finish the course in six months to align it with your work schedule.
Pick goals that truly matter and make them relevant to your journey
Are your goals aligned with your long-term career vision? Goals should be personal and meaningful to you; not imposed by others. If it’s not something you genuinely desire, motivation and drive will be lacking.
Set resolutions with clear timeframes
Attach deadlines to your goals to beat procrastination and show your employer you mean business. Instead of a wishy-washy goal like “lead more efficient meetings”, go for “lead team meetings under 30 minutes, with clear follow-up actions”. For that dream promotion to sales director, spice your goal up with “secure the sales director role by January 2025”.
Let go of the ‘I want’ mentality
Remember, ditch the “I wish” or “I want” mindset. Instead, embrace positive phrases like “I am going to”, “My goal is to”, or “I will”. This shift in language transforms your resolutions from distant wants to serious commitments.
This is your year! Be real, make a plan, track progress, keep reminders, and last but not least, reward yourself! Even if you didn’t reach your expectations, you deserve it for trying!
(Tashia Bernardus)