We are already into the second months of a new year! As this new chapter really gets underway, many of us set goals to improve ourselves in some way. Most of us have something we hope to accomplish, whether it’s losing weight, stopping smoking or taking up a new hobby. However, as we get older, we realise that achieving our goals is not as straightforward as we would like it to be.
With the added responsibilities of family, work, and personal life, it can be difficult to find the time and energy to focus on ourselves. Furthermore, as we age, our bodies and minds can change, making it harder to stick to the same goals we’ve set in the past. But it is important to remember that it’s never too late to make positive changes in our lives.
In this blog post, we will explore the challenges of setting and achieving goals, and provide strategies to help you overcome them and achieve success.
Why do we set goals?
The first step in achieving our goals is understanding why we set them in the first place.
The new year is a traditional time for setting new goals. New Year’s resolutions can be traced back to ancient civilizations. The Babylonians, for example, made promises to their gods at the start of each year, pledging to return borrowed objects and pay off debts. The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, who was the god of beginnings, endings, and transitions.
In Medieval Europe, the church also played a role in the origins of New Year’s resolutions. The tradition of making resolutions during the season of Advent, the period of four weeks before Christmas, was a way for people to reflect on their past behaviour and make amends for any wrongdoings before the start of the New Year. Today, goals and resolutions have become a secular tradition, a time for people to reflect on the past year and make plans for self-improvement in the coming year.
Of course, looking back at the past and making future plans is very natural. But why do we feel the need to improve ourselves? The psychology behind this is rooted in the desire for self-betterment and the symbolism of a fresh start that a new year represents.
What do you actually want?
An important factor to consider when setting goals is identifying what you truly want to accomplish. It’s all too common for people to set generic goals such as “lose weight” or “get in shape” without a clear idea of what that actually means. These types of goals can be too broad and hard to measure, making it easy to lose motivation and give up.
Why do we fail?
There are many reasons why people fail to stick to their goals. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Setting unrealistic goals: are your goals too ambitious or unrealistic? For example, trying to lose a significant amount of weight in a short period of time, quitting smoking or drinking overnight, or starting an intense workout routine without preparation. These types of goals are often difficult to achieve and can lead to feelings of disappointment and failure.
- Lack of planning: without a clear plan of action, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and give up. People often fail to consider the specific steps they need to take to achieve their goals, or how they will overcome obstacles.
- Lack of accountability: people often don’t have anyone to hold them accountable for their actions. Without accountability, it’s easy to make excuses and put things off.
- Life changes: life can throw unexpected curveballs, and goals or resolutions that were once important may no longer be relevant or achievable.
- Not addressing underlying issues: sometimes, people set goals as a way to avoid dealing with issues such as stress, anxiety or depression.
Don’t forget that although we start out with the best intentions, after a short while it’s all too easy for our subconscious beliefs to kick back in. We might not realise it consciously, but our mind is clinging to the same old beliefs that have prevented us from achieving our goals in the past. It is these beliefs that we need to break through.
Staying on track
Breaking down your goals into smaller, more manageable parts can help increase your chances of success. One way to do this is by creating a SMART goal. You probably already know that SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Here are a few ways you could apply this technique to your goals.
- Specific: be clear and specific about what you want to achieve. Instead of saying “I want to lose weight and be healthier,” say “I want to lose 10 pounds in the next three months by exercising at least three times a week and following a healthy eating plan.”
- Measurable: make sure your goal can be quantified. How much weight do you want to lose? How often do you want to exercise? By having a measurable goal, you can track your progress and see the tangible results of your efforts.
- Achievable: your goal should be realistic. If you haven’t exercised in years, it may not be realistic to set a goal to run a marathon in three months. But you can download a couch to 3k app and start from there.
- Relevant: make sure your goal is relevant to your overall well-being and aligns with your values and priorities.
- Time–bound: set a deadline for achieving your goal. This gives you a sense of urgency and helps keep you focused. Put mini-goals into your diary every week so you can check your progress.
How I can help
I love helping women to gain the tools and support they need to overcome common challenges and achieve all the success they desire.
I also teach you how to use these tools on your own and provide you with strategies for staying motivated and accountable.
Together, we will set realistic and achievable goals, break down your larger goal into smaller, manageable parts and create a plan of action. Furthermore, I use EFT to address underlying issues such as stress, anxiety, or depression that may be preventing you from achieving your goals.
EFT, or Emotional Freedom Techniques, is a form of psychological acupressure that can help you release the negative emotions and limiting beliefs that sabotage your efforts to change and achieve your goals.
Get in touch
If you’d like to have a chat to see if I can help you achieve your goals this year, please send me a message or book a free call and we can talk about working together. It would be a pleasure to work with you!
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