It’s that time of year when many of us feel drawn to set goals for the New Year. It may be the idea of a blank slate or the simple act of seeing the numbers change on the calendar, but it causes many people to think about the changes they would like to create in their life.
Unfortunately, we often don’t spend as much time considering exactly how we’ll reach those goals.
Which no doubt explains why research has discovered that more than half of us won’t be able to maintain our newly set resolutions for the entire year. In fact, some studies show that we’re lucky if we make it past mid-February.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, we can increase our rate of success by planning ahead and taking care with the goals that we set. You shouldn’t make easily obtainable resolutions that require little to no effort. But there are also New Year’s promises that are almost guaranteed to fail.
The first step is making sure to avoid these categories:
1. When the resolution isn’t really yours
Many people decide to make someone else’s goal their own or adopt whatever happens to be popular that year. The problem is that if you don’t consider your resolution a personal priority or something that’s really important to you, it will be even harder to keep.
2. When the resolution is vague or not well stated
You need to take the time to clearly define your goal. A resolution that’s stated in only general terms, such as you want to get healthy or you want to be happy are harder to reach. What do those terms really mean? And how would you know if you met your goal?
3. When you don’t have a plan to achieve your goal
How are you going to reach what you’ve set out to obtain? You need a plan. The more specific you can get with the details, the better your chance to succeed. Don’t forget to include the how when you’re figuring out the what and the why.
Now that you have a little background on goal-setting, here are 5 tips to not only help you set your goals, but to reach them as well:
Be SMART when deciding on your resolution
The New York Times recommends making sure your goals are SMART to begin with. This is an acronym that if you follow, will hopefully lead you to reap the benefits of your planning and hard work. SMART stands for making your resolutions:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-bound
Here’s a rundown of what you’ll need in order to up the chances of making and reaching your goals:
Specific: Make your resolution clear and concrete. If it’s weight loss you’re after, name the number of pounds you want to lose and how long it will take.
Measurable: To know if you met your goal you need to be able to measure your progress. Make that part of your planning to decide how you will track your efforts.
Achievable: Push yourself a little out of your comfort zone but it also has to be possible. You won’t be able to change some things in too short of a period of time.
Relevant: Make sure the resolution matters to you personally. It’s hard enough to meet our goals. If you really don’t care about the resolution, your chances of success are almost zero.
Time bound: You have to give yourself enough time to meet your goal. Certain health habits can take a long time to change. Build in small step successes along the way for motivation.
Goal setting for seniors
One of the best ways we can make real change in our life is by setting a well-defined goal, creating a plan for how to achieve it and then taking the necessary steps to accomplish the objective. If you’ve been considering any changes you’d like to make in your life, following the above recommendations can get you well on your way.
Oftentimes, retirement life is only planned financially. But what lifestyle would you like to live? Were there accomplishments that you wanted to undertake? Whether it’s learning a new language, becoming proficient at a musical instrument or simplifying life so that you have the time to do exactly what you want, it’s never too late to put your plan in motion.
Ingleside at King Farm Independent Living
While you’re considering the type of lifestyle that would best fit your goals, you may want to consider all that senior living has to offer. It’s often considered the best of both worlds as you’ll find private residences but without the headache of homeownership and maintenance.
Staying physically and cognitively fit is easy with all the activities, events, clubs and classes just waiting right outside of your door. Healthy and delicious chef-prepared meals are there for the ordering when you just don’t feel like cooking. And if you’re no longer driving or would like to drive less, scheduled transportation will take you to appointments, entertainment opportunities and shopping.
Our residences and common areas are beautifully designed with you in mind. We think you’ll enjoy our fitness center, indoor heated pool, spending time in our library or sharing a meal or glass of wine with a friend. And with all of the offered social activities, you’ll find meeting and making friends easier than ever.
Please visit our website or call (240) 414-8557 if you have any questions or would like to schedule a personalized tour today.