Questions for New Years Resolutions?

​Your 2021 Plan – What’s holding you back
 
We often set goals for our finances, work, health, family or faith at the beginning of the new year.  How many times have you said, “I’m going to start January 1?”.  We focus on those goals until we don’t, for a whole variety of reasons.  Studies have shown that only 8% of those who set New Year’s resolutions don’t stick with it through the year.  
 
From a 2018 article Dr. Marcelo Campos, a lecturer at Harvard Medical School, said “writing goals down can help us to achieve them because it feels like more of a commitment.”
Campos explained “…that answering five specific questions can give you a push in the right direction when it comes to sticking to New Year’s resolutions.
The questions are:

1. Why do you want to make the change?
2. Is your goal concrete and measurable?
3. What is your plan?
4. Who can support you as you work toward change?
5. How will you celebrate your victories?

‘January 1st is just a day in the calendar. You can reset your calendar every day for a fresh start. Go back to the beginning and revisit that first question to remind yourself of the rewards of making the change,’ Campos said.
The Strava study found that if exercising was one of your resolutions, then working with others encouraged more activity while joining a club boosted people’s activity 46 percent.
These are really good points for setting your annual goals.  Other questions that may help you dig a bit deeper and achieve even greater achievement could include:
 

1. What beliefs do you hold onto that are not true? (e.g. I’m too fat)
2. What habits will you modify or sunset? (e.g. a candy bar as go to for cravings)
3. How will you overcome the inevitable pang of frustration? (e.g. I don’t listen well)
4. What’s the smallest step you can take? (e.g. turning my phone off when I’m with others)

 
One last thought that seems to help many stick with a goal.  Put a sticky note on your mirror or by the front door, or in your car, or next to the TV remote.  Having goals front and center can be a good reminder and helps you keep track of progress.  Just a list that you can mark off, nothing fancy and most don’t need an app, good old paper and pen can do just fine.