Keeping Your Resolutions

The beginning of the year encourages most of us to examine our lives and look for areas to improve. New Year’s Resolutions become the short-lived trend. As a personal trainer, I saw loads of these related to weight loss and healthier living. As a Financial Coach, I see plenty of them that relate to finances. The sad truth, though, is that a very small percentage of these resolutions make it out of the month of January. In fact, some studies show that up to 80% of people who make resolutions give up on them by February. Other studies contradict this, showing lower failure rates, but still over half of people have given up on their resolutions by the middle of the year. So, now, halfway through February, I want to encourage you to make lasting changes in your life.

There are lessons all over the internet and in many books about how to set effective goals. No doubt many of you just rolled your eyes. “No! Not more goal setting advice!” Good news! This isn’t about goal setting. Although I thoroughly believe good goal setting practices are a cornerstone of lasting behavior change or lifestyle change, there’s more to it than that. Many articles, books and even experts point to a lack of self-discipline or unrealistic goal setting as the main barrier to achieving your goals. You can put together the best plan in the world. If you don’t execute the plan, it’s all for naught. And in my experience,

this is the part where people trip up the most. They have a hard time following through.

However, I find the hardest, but most critical, component to lasting change is a support system. We need to share our goals with other people so they can support us on the journey. These should be people who are either close to us and care about our wellbeing or people who are on the same journey that we are. Either way, these people are there to

encourage us along the way, especially when the going gets tough. And it will. Anytime you try to change your habits, the journey will have its difficult points. You will feel like giving up. This is the point your support system becomes so important.

But, telling other people about our goals is sometimes hard. I know I certainly find it difficult. For me, it seems to be a fear of failure. If I fail on a goal that I never shared with anyone, I’m just privately disappointed. But if I share my goals with others, then fail, it’s a public failure. The fallacy of this line of thinking is, of course, that if I had shared my goal with others, I may not have failed at all. In fact, I am more likely to succeed. This fear of failure mindset is a true hindrance to changing my life.

Having other people to support you is absolutely critical. Making big changes, or even just going through life, without the support and encouragement of others makes us less effective. We won’t live life as it’s meant to be lived. Once you have set your goals, share them with someone who will support your journey. If you find that difficult, examine yourself, your fears, and try to figure out what is holding you back. Because it is holding you back.

And pass it on. Many people are looking to change their behaviors. Be a support system for someone else, as well.