DISCLAIMER! I should just get into the habit of starting any blog I write with “I am not a fancy doctor” .. just someone who has become really passionate about learning how to age successfully and help others do the same! Whatever I write about is my opinion based on … well, me and the things I read, feel and come up with in my head!
We are deviating a little from my typical blog to discuss New Year’s resolutions. They do often revolve around our physical and mental health though, right?
Why do we always bite off more than we can chew?
Each January many of us start the New Year with a list of resolutions. We study how to set SMART goals. We list all the actions we plan to take to improve our health, financials, careers and families. Many people may struggle to maintain their resolutions by the third week of January. Some attribute this to the initial burst of motivation fading away, unrealistic goal-setting, or encountering challenges that make it difficult to stick to new habits. The reasons are endless and like resolutions themselves, individual.
Last year I painstakingly spent the first week of January creating a vision board, planning my budget through the next 12 months and setting specific dates for various things I wanted to accomplish. I pasted the vision board to my open screen on my phone and laptop. My budget was detailed in Google sheets. My calendar was filled with highlighted squares, notes and deadlines. I was ready to SLAY 2023. I'll even bravely share my vision board!
I then spent 2023 feeling overwhelmed, always like I was under achieving and constantly feeling I was not doing “enough”. That vision board glared at me each time I reached for my phone to escape into a doom scroll. My budget spreadsheet was constantly being modified each month to accommodate silly spending and unplanned expenditures. My color-coded calendar hung in my office like a joke piece of artwork. NONE of my visions came to fruition.
Fast forward to January 2024. Do I start all over again? Set the same goals? Tell myself, “This year will be different because I listened to all the podcasts and read all the books!”?
Nope. I rebelled. I didn’t set one GOAL.
I set INTENTIONS. Intentions are kind of like the reasons or plans behind what we do—sort of the thoughts that drive our actions and give them meaning.
Here’s the thing…when you set a goal and fail to meet it, it can really do a doozie on yourself worth and motivation. Goals not met are promises you didn’t keep to yourself. Just as when you continue to break promises to others, they lose trust in you…. your mind can lose trust in you too. I am not saying you shouldn’t make goals and work towards them. Goals are also an amazing way to build yourself up and know you keep your promises to yourself!
But let's just pull back from all the crazy shit you say you are going to do on January 1st and realistic.
Instead of: I am going to lift weights Monday through Friday at 5am
Try: I am going to focus less on the scale and more on getting strong!
Why this works: The third week of January you baby is sick, and you don’t get to workout two days in a row. Promise is broken. However, if you still lifted weights three days that week, you are still moving towards “strong”. Win!
Instead of: I will pay off all my debt by the end of the year.
Try: I will pay any extra money I have on my debt.
Why this works: Your furnace craps the bed and all extra money for three weeks goes to the repair guy. Promise is broken. Week four, you pay extra on your debt. Win!
Simply remind yourself of your INTENTIONS throughout the year and try to do tiny actions daily that meet them. There is no reason why you can’t create mini goals along the way to help push you. Just free yourself of goals that weigh your down for 365 days.
My morning routine now includes writing my 5 INTENTIONS daily. This helps me stay focused on the things I want to accomplish this year. I can even think ahead and ensure I do something that day that moves the needle for a few of them! Again, I will bravely share them with you!
So as we approach what is dubbed “Quitters Day” (January 19th) take some time and reevaluate your big goals that you may have set and consider creating INTENTIONS for 2024!
I would love to hear about your INTENTIONS, feel free to share in the comment section or email me!
Happy New Year!
Sara Lacharite is a Personal Trainer in central Maine, specializing in senior fitness and brain health training. Her passion lies in empowering pre- and current retirees to age adventurously with personalized fitness and wellness strategies, habit creation and emotional encouragement ... aiming to ensure their physical and mental wellbeing throughout their retirement journey! Visit her website to learn ways you can work with her locally or even virtually!
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