by Alison McMillan, Wellness Director

As we ring in 2024, and reflect on our experiences and what we leaned int he previous year, me might find things we want to change moving forward. Whatever it is, you’re not alone in this desire for change!

According to a Forbes survey in October this year, almost 62% of respondents feel pressure or the desire to set a resolution. However, if you’ve ever set a resolution, you may know that they don’t always pan out. Research suggests that 23% of people quit their resolution within the first week and 43% quit by the end of January, with a whopping 9% of people following them through to completion.

However, I’m here to keep you from letting the numbers scare you away from trying a resolution this year! There are a lot of good ways to make positive and constructive resolutions to grow yourself this year and to ensure that you have the best success in achieving your goals.

First, evaluate the reason for setting a resolution. Is it something you are doing out of actual desire and is there a need for change, or is it something you feel obligated and pressured to do? By ensuring that this is a genuine desire and need for change, you are more likely to stick with it rather than give up due to lack of motivation to meet your true goals.

Next, set a S.M.A.R.T. goal – S: Specific, M: Measurable, A: Attainable, R: Relevant, and T: Time-Bound. By following this formula, you are setting yourself up for success. Having a vague immeasurable goal makes it harder to see your progress and be motivated and celebrate wins. You want to ensure the goal is not too ambitious; setting an unattainable resolution is only setting yourself up for failure. Like my father always says, “How do you eat an elephant?… One bite at a time!” Break the resolution up into attainable achievable pieces and take it one step at a time. Also make sure the resolution has an end goal. Having a timeline gives you the chance to look at your successes and reevaluate areas if needed.

Then write it down! Put it on paper, on a calendar or in a planner, and share it with your friends and family. Writing it down help make it more tangible than letting it float in the back of your head, and sharing your goals with your friends and family helps set up an accountability network of support.

Finally, allow yourself to be imperfect. You are only human! You are bound to fall off a wagon or miss a step but get back up and keep trying. There is no ‘failure’ here, there is only opportunity to learn from the moment and try again.

And remember, the purpose of a resolution is personal growth and change for the better. Enjoy the journey, celebrate each win along the way, and keep positive and keep going!

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis