How many of your new year’s resolutions have you managed to achieve so far? Whether it was finding a soulmate, getting fit and losing weight, reading a book a week, doing more DIY projects around the house, or completing that career-boosting short course, it’s okay if you haven’t managed to tick everything (or even one thing) off your list.
“Go easy on yourself. The words ‘unprecedented’ and ‘uncertainty were some of the most overused words during the pandemic for good reason,” says Gavin Lund, co-founder of the Sterkla coaching app. “Our number one priority as human beings living through a global pandemic has been and should be, survival.
“It’s normal to feel down even when there are positives in our lives. What’s important is to better manage the negativity and make sure that the blues of 2021 don’t spill over into the joys of 2022,” he adds.
Self-care and stress
Stress can lead to a variety of health issues and disorders, which is why it’s so important to manage stress effectively for overall health and wellness. Self-care is an important part of alleviating stress, and contrary to popular belief doesn’t have to cost you a great deal or anything at all.
“Mindfulness and spiritual activity, physical exercise, and mastering a skill can all be placed under the umbrella of self-care. It’s about taking time out of the day to do what brings you joy or enhances your sense of wellbeing. That is a brilliant stress buster,” says Lund. “Along with stress management, reframing circumstances to replace feelings of guilt and shame with compassion and kindness is also an important part of self-care”
Resolutions vs goals
We can resolve to change our lifestyles, drop an unhealthy habit or learn something new, but achieving these things requires us to set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and anchored within a Time frame).
If you didn’t manage to achieve the goals you set out to achieve, whether in the last year or even in previous years, understanding the difference between resolutions and goals will help you to get past those end-of-year blues and on track to reaching your full potential. Start by breaking the year down into smaller segments and setting smaller targets to achieve along the way to attaining the bigger goal, to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
For example, if your goal is to lose weight, you might consider setting a realistic weight loss goal to achieve in the next three months and work on a plan that includes healthy eating and exercise to help you achieve this goal. You could use this goal-setting approach for each quarter of the year, which would support you in achieving your overall weight loss goal at the end of the year.
Reach out for support
Setting goals is often easier said than done, which is why only 19% of people end up following through with them. Part of making our goals achievable is ensuring we have the right support and guidance in place to keep us accountable and committed.
Working with a coach is one of the most effective ways to identify your goals, ensure they are realistic and outcomes-based, create a plan to achieve them, and stay on track along the way. A coach is professionally trained to help you find your own answers and realizations through guidance and support, by asking the right questions. A coach will help you unlock the answers for yourself throughout your journey to achieving your goals.
Being kind to yourself, avoiding the nasty effects of stress, and remembering that it’s okay to ask for help are important first steps in achieving the life you want to live. Give yourself a break – now that you have a better understanding of the difference between resolutions and goals, and how a coach can help you get there, you are already on track for not just a fulfilling 2022, but a meaningful and purpose-driven life overall.
