New Year, SMART Goals

Happy New Year, 2022! It's a fresh, new year, ready for all the possibilities the Universe has to offer. So how are you taking advantage of this energetic refresh? 

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Resolutions

There are several ways that people tend to usher in the New Year. One of the most popular methods is to set resolutions or things that would be ideal to shift throughout the next twelve months. I don't love the idea of a New Years' resolution because most of the time, people tend to use the exact resolution, year after year, with no change of behavior. It's often a lofty goal, riddled with ideas of who we think we should be. 

​I often see people waiting until the New Year to make resolutions when they have identified that they need to make a lifestyle change. Unfortunately, people will often put off lifestyle shifts because it requires changed thinking and behaviors. If a New Years' resolution is made to improve something in your life, why would you even wait an extra day to make those changes? 

Macro vs. Micro

​We always want to believe that we are making progress and improvements in our life, and that's where New Years' resolutions come in. When we come to the end of the calendar year, it is often a time of reflection over the "macro" version of the year. Typically, we are stuck in the "micro" vision of our daily experience of what it takes to make it through the day. 

​My New Years' advice? Don't wait until the next New Year to make changes that you intuitively know you need to make. When you identify something that can be improved, don't hesitate to make those changes! Small, consistent changes are easier to maintain over an extended period, leading to more significant changes over time.   

SMART Goals

When thinking about what you want to accomplish over the next year, think about how you plan to achieve these goals. If you resolve to "build muscle" over the next year, think about how you plan on doing that. If you decide to learn a new skill, think about how you plan on doing that. The Universe will match our energy if we show that we're making a conscious effort. 

​As corny as it may sound, a helpful method of setting realistic goals is described by the acronym "SMART." Have you used a SMART plan before? These concepts help bring clarity and focus to what you wish to achieve. SMART stands for...
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S - specific
M - measurable
A - attainable
R - reasonable
T - timed 

Let's go back to the idea of "building muscle" and see if we can turn it into a stronger and more achievable goal by applying these SMART tactics. 

• Is it specific enough? Where do I want to build muscle? 
• Is it measurable? How can I measure building muscle?
• Is it attainable? What do I need to do to build muscle?
• Is it reasonable? Does this make sense for me?
• Is it timed? How long am I giving myself to achieve this goal?

I want to increase my core strength. I will measure my progress by the amount of weight I can lift during an overhead press. I will do this by working out with a trainer 3x a week to work up to my specific goal. My goal is to complete a 100 lb overhead press by March 1st. 

By fleshing out your resolutions into tangible goals, the chances of achieving your goals are much higher since you've mapped out HOW you plan on achieving them.

What goals are you setting for yourself in the New Year? I would love to hear them and cheer you on as you accomplish them!! 
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Love,
Arielle Sterling