Monday, December 31, 2012

Set a Small Resolution

It's December 31, and the New Year is upon us!  What big plans do you have for 2013?

I've got some big plans and SMART goals, but I'll be tackling those on a monthly basis, so my focus is honed and strong.  But are you setting year-long resolutions?  If so, I dare you to make them small

Cookies for tonight!
First of all, keep up your existing goals!  The new year is an arbitrary day to begin, but it does feel like a fresh start, so we like to put all this weight on the new day and the new year.  There's nothing wrong with that, as long as you don't ever not set or fulfill a goal just because it isn't a new year or a Monday.  

For year-long resolutions, I think small is the way to go.  Keep it simple!  I think of resolutions less as a big goal to be "attained" and more of a vow to improve something about yourself or your habits.

Last year, I resolved to make my bed every morning. Done.

This year, I'm setting some similarly small resolutions.  One is to quit chewing gum.  I'll get into the why and how of it in a later post, but I think it's a smart, simple resolution that, given a year, I should be able to achieve.  I'm not quitting cold turkey, but I'll limit the amount I can have each week until I no longer need it at all. (This also isn't to say I'll never ever chew it again, but I'd like to kick the habit; I really have too much.)

Another small resolution I'm making is to do a pull-up.  That's it--just one.  If I end up doing more, great! If it's just the one, that's fine, too. It was at CrossFit in November that I discovered I couldn't do one without a band for assistance, so I hope to work my way up to pulling up my body weight and lowering it back down.  (I may also need gloves, because bar days always destroyed my hands!)  I admit, this is more of a "goal", but I resolve to actively work toward it.

What small resolutions are you making for the new year?

As I've mentioned, I also have several goals for 2013, but I'll tackle those with you each month.  Setting monthly goals keeps me focused and facilitates my success, and I've got a friend who is doing the same, so we'll keep each other on target, one focus at a time!  I don't know about you, but I can't take on too much at once, or nothing will get done!  Pick a few goals/resolutions and give them your full attention. 

 Do you agree? What works best for you?

 All the best to you and yours for a Happy New Year! 

6 comments:

  1. Such a smart lady! Smaller goals help RELAX you and help make them more fun. Have an amazing new year. :)

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  2. I love your one pull up resolution- that's definitely manageable, smart, and realistic. :) I set "intentions" this year- and plan to revisit them each month. It made such a difference last year and kept them in the forefront of my mind. Happy new year!

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  3. I like setting smaller goals, too. Otherwise, I feel like I'm just setting myself up for failure. I'm hoping to work on my arms this year, too. I would love to be able to do one pull-up by the end of 2013, too. :)

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  4. Agree. Small goals are the way to go. Or, if you have one big goal, make it measurable and set mini goals to get there. And track it. Visuals are the key.

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  5. I'm attempting the Tone It Up nutrition plan! I have some friends doing it with me so that should help!

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  6. i totally love small resolutions because they are achieved faster and that sense of accomplishment always drives me to make MORE resolutions and keep improving! i actually resolved a couple of years ago to cut down to one piece of gum a day, and now some days i don't even chew gum. for me it was because i have a clicky jaw and my doc told me i could run into long-term problems that could need surgery to solve if i didn't cut down to one piece a day. hearing that was enough drive for me!

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