The New Year is approaching and you would really like next year to end a little better than this year. Maybe you had planned to lose a few pounds or get into better shape by the end of the year but you’ve packed on a few pounds and after a great start last year you haven’t been back to the gym since. You want the New Year to be different but you know if you do the same thing you did last year, there is a good chance you will end up in the same place you did this year: out of shape and feeling blah.
Did you set some New Year’s resolutions last year? Do you even remember what they were? Maybe you wrote down some very specific and measurable goals but gave up on them after a few setbacks. Did you lose your list?
I want to share with you the best habits you can incorporate into your daily routine that will help you end the New Year with a sense of accomplishment. You’re going to look great and feel great, too!!
What is the difference between a goal, a resolution, and an intention?
A goal is a desired result; it is the outcome of your efforts. A resolution, on the other hand, is what you are going to do or not do. While an intention is an idea you plan to carry out.
Which is better a goal, a resolution, or an intention?
Goals, resolutions, and intentions all work together. The reason many people make New Year’s resolutions and then drop them by February is because they did not create goals or intentions to help them succeed.
So what should you set first a goal, a resolution, or an intention?
Since an intention is the idea you plan to carry out, let’s set that first.
Last year you made a New Year’s resolution to lose twenty pounds, which is actually a measurable goal. Losing weight is a resolution which was made better by being specific and measurable. Lose twenty pounds by the end of the year is measurable and specific which turns your resolution to lose weight into a goal. Good goal, good resolution but without intention you will probably give up by February with 82% of those who make resolutions on New Year’s eve.
Your chances of achieving your goal will greatly increase if you set your intentions on living a more fit and healthy lifestyle, The intention of becoming healthy and fit behind the resolution to lose weight is what gives the goal to lose twenty pounds by the end of the year it’s power punch.
By reaffirming or ‘setting’ your intentions everyday to “live a fit and healthy lifestyle”, you will make the choices each day you need to make to see the weight come off and the habits that sabotage your progress become a thing of the past.
What are the most popular New Year intentions, resolutions, and goals?
20 Popular New Year’s Resolutions
- Get Healthier
- Exercise More
- Save more money/make more money
- Focus more on self care
- Read More
- Make new friends
- Meet a significant other
- Learn a New Skill
- Start a New Hobby
- Get Organized
- Quit Smoking/Quit Drinking Alcohol or Soda pop
- Get out of Debt
- Learn a New Language
- Volunteer
- Travel and See the World
- Less time on Social Media
- Write a Book
- Improve my social life
- Find a New Job
- Go back to School
Achieve Popular Resolutions and goals by setting daily Intentions
The most popular New Year’s resolutions include getting healthier, losing weight, exercising more. Building measurable and specific goals around that resolution go beyond losing 20 pounds by the end of the year. A better goal would be to limit your carbs to 50 grams per day. Setting an intention everyday for 365 days to Live a Healthier lifestyle each and every day is what packs a powerful punch to achieving your goals.
You start out limiting your carbs to 50 grams per day because you know that is a healthier lifestyle than consuming lots of breads and pasta. Once you get that down, once that is part of your every day without thinking routine you continue setting your intention to live a healthier lifestyle each and every day. So you decide now you’ll quit drinking soda pop altogether or limit alcohol to once a month with friends. One day you decide to add an exercise to class to your weekly routine and then a weekly hike. You might even decide to lift a few hand weights at home every other day to your favorite playlist.
You continue setting the intention to live a healthier lifestyle each and every day and continue incorporating better and better choices into your daily routine and soon the pounds are dropping off, your muscles are becoming more defined, and you notice you’re no longer huffing and puffing carrying the laundry down the stairs.
So should I create goals, make resolutions, or set intentions for the New Year?
Yes. Yes, you should. First set your intentions. Visualize the idea you want to carry out. Visualize your intention every day and throughout the day especially when you are making decisions that will affect the outcome. Then you can decide what you are going to do by making a resolution and creating goals to achieve them throughout the entire year.
How is a Fit and Active Lifestyle achieved? One healthier choice at a time.
How is a debt free life achieved? One better “not” spending now choice at a time.
How is an organized life achieved? By getting rid of or putting away one thing at a time.