As the new year began so many of us came up with New Year’s resolutions that we were sure were going to help us make positive changes in life. The likelihood is that they have fallen by the wayside by the end of January or February and we feel that we are back to square one!

Stick to beat yourself with

It is so easy to view our failed resolution as a failure and to use it as another stick to beat ourselves up with over and over again. An important thing to remember is that change is hard and it really takes time, effort and habit to create lasting changes.  Just because things haven’t worked out quite as you planned it does not mean you are a failure.  Maybe it is just a sign that you need to adjust your approach and try again.  Rather than being back at square one, you now have new information.

New plan of action 

Often we set unrealistic goals when setting that New Years resolution – maybe losing a significant amount of weight in a short period of time or quitting a bad habit cold turkey!  It is likely that you have now set yourself up to not achieve your goal. So, a new plan of action is required – setting realistic goals whilst making them smaller or bite size as well as manageable and achievable.   Remember that change is a process and as time rolls on it’s easy to fall back into old habits or begin to lack motivation.  Try not to be too hard on yourself if you have a setback.  Use it as an opportunity to learn, grow or adjust your approach to the task.

Clarity and focus

Clarity and focus are essential to help you achieve success in any area of your life, be that a major project at work, trying to improve your health and fitness or working on a personal goal.  Having a clear and focused mind is crucial but can also be challenging.  A really helpful way to do this is to develop a growth mindset (Carol Dweck).  In essence it’s the belief that you can grow and develop through effort and learning. 

5 steps to help you achieve those resolutions

1. Set SMART goals ( specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound)
2. Create a routine/schedule – this helps prioritise tasks and maintain focus
3. Keep organised – it can help reduce distractions
4. Self-reflection – take time to look at your progress in a positive way highlight areas for cheerleading and or improvement 
5. Self-care – get enough sleep, good nutrition, exercise – all these help maintain focus

The really important thing to remember is that it takes time, effort and consistency to achieve your goals and setbacks are a natural part of the process. So try not to be too hard on yourself, instead use it as an opportunity to learn, grow and adjust your approach.  What are you going to do to rescue those failed resolutions or achieve new goals? 

Phyllis Woodfine MSc

www.phylliswoodfine.com