Failed Resolutions vs. Smart Goal Solutions

Confession - I love the start of a new year almost as much as Christmas. As soon as the presents are unwrapped and dinner is served, I'm ready to tear down the decorations and pull out my planner. This year, I will do it all. I will have 365 days of meals planned by January 1st. My goals will be set, all the charts and tools will be purchased, and I will be set to live the most disciplined life by the time the ball starts to drop.

Every. Single. Year.

I'm not alone in this. This year, 34% of Americans intend to set New Year's Resolutions. Of that 34%, 35% of people will say that they set unrealistic goals to begin with, 33% failed because they didn't keep track of their goals, and another 23% forgot about their resolutions or made too many.

This leaves 8% of people who, historically, kept their resolutions. This might explain why I don't know what we're eating for dinner tonight . . . or any night through New Years.

We all know this happens - you'll likely see no less than 20 articles, blogs, and social media posts about resolutions - this one included. We know about the wish of a resolution vs. the strategic effort of a goal. So instead of restating well-worn discussions around the start of a new year, let's take a look at the differences between failed resolutions and SMART Goals . . because it really is all about how you begin.

SMART Goals - the ones that set someone up for success, are goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. These differ vastly from the New Year's resolution that starts with a wish and requires a magic wand. Below are some of the more common desires expressed by my clients in January. In them, recognize the difference between the failed resolution and the SMART goal resolution, then use them as a guide as you embark on your "new you" journey in 2024.

Failed Resolution: "I will heal my health issues this year!"

SMART Goal Solution: "I will work with a functional nutritionist to develop a personalized plan for addressing my health condition so that I can enjoy my family reunion in 5 months without the need for oxygen. I will commit to three months of work with her, focusing on improving my diet and sleep to start, and will re-assess my commitment at the end of the three months.

Failed Resolution: " I will completely eliminate all my favorite comfort foods, sugar, and restaurant foods."

SMART Goal Solution: I will limit my sugar intake to 1 serving a day for the next 3 months. This one serving of sugar will be a treat I have prepared at home, and I will eat it with a healthy protein or fat. I will do this to lower my A1C numbers.

Failed Resolution: "I will take all of my supplements every day."

SMART Goal Solution: I will take my supplements in the morning when I make my coffee every morning for the next 30 days so that I can improve my gut health and reduce my constipation.

While just some examples, you can see that the SMART goals were very specific, limiting in order to remain achievable, and time-bound. If you set your goals along these lines and write them down, you just might find yourself in that elusive 8% of people who defied the odds and changed in the new year!