Therapist Anastasia Pollock from Life Stone Center shared some tips for finding success in 2016. Many times we set ourselves up for failure with resolution pitfalls. Here are her tips for creating meaningful, lasting habits. Many resolutions are really big goals that often require significant lifestyle changes (losing weight, quitting smoking, getting your whole life organized, etc.). People are often excited about these goals in the beginning and can maintain the dramatic shifts in the first week or two, but then find that it is hard to keep up. The biggest problem: If we are only setting goals for ourselves once a year, we are setting ourselves up for failure.
The Solutions:
Instead of setting all your goals at the beginning of the year, start with one, small goal. Meet one goal and enjoy the emotional payoff you get from following through. Then set the next goal. Do this consistently through the year.
Break big goals down to smaller, more palatable pieces. Don`t try to take it all on at once and be realistic with timelines.
If your goal includes making lifestyle changes, do this very gradually. Make one lifestyle change that isn`t overwhelming (ie. eating one healthy fruit or vegetable per day, walk around the block twice per week) and gradually add changes once the preceding changes have become part of your lifestyle.
Give yourself some leeway. You can`t expect perfection from yourself. If you mess up, get back to your goal and try again. Maybe consider revamping your plan if you find it is hard to stick to your original goal.
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