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Otherwise, its almost like setting yourself up to fall short.
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How to set achievable new year goals
Ever heard of a SMART goal?
SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely.
Its also pretty handy for any New Years resolutions youre mulling over right now.
Making a goal SMART is a great tactic to increase your chances of actually sticking with it.
Heres an example of a SMART goal: I will exercise for 30 minutes two times a week.
The non-SMART version of that: I will finally start exercising regularly.
The first one lays out a goal thats specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely.
The second one is vague and provides no clear direction for how youre going to do it.
But thinking within the SMART framework first is a great way to get started formulating your goals.
Need some New Years resolution ideas?
You think, Im going to spend less, work out more, and get promoted.
All great aspirations, but creating a resolution thats too big sets you up for failure.
The first key to success is zeroing in on one goal, not three.
Then do a quick reality check.
But committing to reading two books a month instead of four could be a good place to start.
We mentioned this tactic above, but its worth emphasizing.
Save money is a good goal.
Without some definable parameters, your best intentions can get lost in the shuffle.
Journaling can also help you reflect on your progress, Dr. Kloubec says.
Honest reflection can help you to see how you may be sabotaging yourself or to recognize patterns of behavior.
(Check out our picks for thebest notebooks and journalsout there.)
A lot of mental health apps out there can help guide you through goal-setting and forming new habits.
Other goal-setting apps to check out:Strides,Streaks, andProductive.
(Our list of41 mental health apps that can make life easierwill get you started.)
You might be more likely to achieve your resolutions if you make them public.
While sharing with your journal and bathroom mirror help, too, they dont count as other people.
Better yet, get them on board so youre both working toward the same goal.
Your resolution should never just be another item on your to-do list.
Instead of relying on pure desire or willpower each day, plan ahead.
The term habit stacking was coined by writer S.J.
Reassessing your goal throughout the weeks and months it takes to get there is essential.
Once you start making changes, you may find your original goal was a little unrealistic.
I would encourage people to, even after a month, reevaluate their goals, Dr. Ward says.
Thats why its crucial to recognize and reward the smaller successes along the way.
If your goal is toruna half-marathon, dont save the party for the finish line.
To help you track important milestones and stay motivated along the way, use your journal or goal-tracking app.
Guess which group is more likely to succeed?
Blew this weeks savings on some excitingnew camping gear?
But it doesnt mean your savings goals for the entire year need to go down the toilet.
Without any motivation tohit the treadmillon your own, you and the snooze button will become far too intimate.
But thats when you become vulnerable to missteps.
As Dr. Norcross urges, Whatever youre doing is working, so dont stop!
If you know youre capable of making your desired change, then believe it wholeheartedly.
When you reach your goal, its time to celebrate, of course.
