I don’t know about you, but this holiday season has been a whirlwind for me. Between putting up Christmas décor, buying and wrapping gifts, tidying the house, entertaining the kids for days on end, packing everything away, and shoveling snow (SO MUCH SNOW), I’ve barely had time to sit still, let alone think about New Year’s Resolutions. Throw in some school cancellations, and it’s been nonstop chaos.
But right now, I’m hitting the pause button. I’m taking this moment to reflect on what I want to achieve in my fitness life in the upcoming year.
When I was younger, I truly believed I could manifest whatever I spoke into existence. I’d announce my Resolutions to the Universe, assuming that simply declaring them would make the resolve—and results—follow naturally. (One of my favorites was the intention to yell less at my kids. Spoiler alert: it didn’t last long.) By mid-February, most of my grand plans had fizzled out, leaving me frustrated and swearing off Resolutions as pointless.
But over the years, my perspective has shifted. I’m beginning to see New Year’s Resolutions in a new light. With careful thought, a step-by-step plan, and the commitment to follow through, Resolutions are essentially just another form of goal setting. And really, what better time to reflect on how the past year has gone and what you want for the year ahead than the New Year?
I wrote in October about setting SMART goals and also about goals that are a little more open-ended. (Read more here.) Whether you’re working toward a specific, measurable goal or an outcome that’s more flexible, the key is the same: you need a plan of action. Speaking your goals into existence isn’t enough. For example, my goal to get in shape for soccer required going out and running. And my time goal—which I hit by the end of October—required running consistently while pushing myself a little more each time. My new open-ended goal, running longer distances (4-6 miles), means planning times and routes to get out and run.
So, as we step into this new year, I’m reminding myself—and maybe you too—that Resolutions can work. But they require more than good intentions. They need thoughtful reflection, realistic planning, and consistent effort.
What’s your plan for the year ahead?
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