It is 2023. Typing that in for this blog was the first time I felt real. Isn’t it funny how each year we have to train ourselves to write the next year’s date. And how many times do we accidentally write down the previous year. But eventually we train ourselves to write out the correct year.

There are a lot of things we try to train ourselves to do at the beginning of a new year. We write out lists of resolutions about them. I am going to quit drinking. And get more sleep. I am going to call my mom more and practice more self-care. Unfortunately, these things are not as easy as training yourself to write or type the new year. Resolutions are quick fixes, quick answers to “what is this next year going to look like?” And like most quick fixes, they usually don’t hold.

What You Need Is A Goal

What you need is to set a goal. Whether that is for your career, your love life, or your health.  Setting goals isn’t an either-or or all or nothing. It is a destination that you travel to in your own time. Setting the goal of drinking less in 2023 is much superior to the resolution that “I’m going to quit drinking”. The first slip up of a resolution has you falling off the wagon indefinitely. But with the goal of drinking less, if you slip up, you can get it back into check and move onward toward your goal.

Goals require a plan whereas resolutions do not. Resolutions are statements. There is no real thought behind it. I am going to lose weight this year. There is no plan. No parameters. No timeframe. Nothing. But setting the goal – lose 10 pounds by May is specific, measurable, actionable, achievable, and timely. It has all the of elements of a SMART goal.

Then you create a plan to cut alcohol in half, reduce your bad carbs, and do 30 minutes of either aerobic or resistance training 3-5 days a week. A real plan that will more than likely get you there if you stick to it.

Goals Are An Investment in Yourself

Anything that you put into play via a plan, aka time, is pure investment in yourself. Very rarely do we really sit down to invest time in ourselves. We just want. And we want it right now. But like all solid investments – like in your 401K – growth takes time. And when it grows you are so proud of yourself for being patient and working the plan to make this thing happen.

Setting goals for yourself – whether that be professionally, health-wise, or any other type of goal, is just like that 401K – time invested in yourself that will grow slow at first, but eventually to a point that you can be nothing but proud of what you have done. AND, depending on the goal, such as a health goal, it will bring you happier and longer life.

Resolutions Are Time Sensitive and Goals Are Not

Have you ever heard of someone making resolutions in April? No, me either. Resolutions are usually made in the week between Christmas and New Year to begin on January 1^st. And when it doesn’t happen you have to wait a whole year to make new resolutions.

Goals can be made, adjusted, and changed at any time. Did you have some extreme situation happen to keep you from reaching your goal by a certain time like illness or injury? Just adjust your timeframe or reset the goal. Just because they don’t happen exactly the way you planned doesn’t mean you have to give up on them.

But What About Intentions?

Setting Intentions has become a big thing in the past few years. A lot of people who claim that they don’t like setting real goals rather say they are going to set intentions – not to be confused with being intentional. I’ll explain in a sec.

Setting intentions – to me – is kinda half-way between a resolution and a goal. Resolutions really feel fleeting, but setting an intention goes a step further with basic planning or investigation. Your mind gets into it. I set daily intentions every day to help me move TOWARD my goals. I set about my todo list of items I intend to complete to help me move my needle.

And if you are being intentional you are doing just that – you are acting as if you are working toward goals. You know if you are or not.

Don’t Set Yourself Up For Failure

Resolutions fade. Goals live on. Intentions can work for you. If you are serious about doing something different this year, invest in yourself and set some good, solid, achievable goals and set daily intentions to get you there.  Leave resolutions at January 1^st or turn your resolutions into goal. Now there’s an idea.

Go out and make this year the best that you can. You have the power to do that for yourself. I challenge and cheer you.

Listen to the Podcast Version:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/redesigning-midlife-workout-motivation-nutrition-facts/id1549596974?i=1000592934691