4 tips to help you achieve in 2023

Welcome to a new year. This is the time we can feel under pressure to be ‘the new us’, or set resolutions, to become thinner, happier, ‘better’, - but what does any of this actually mean?

For those setting resolutions, it’s easy to fall into the trap of picking generic ones - give up smoking, eat more healthily, get fit. They all sound admirable, yet by the end of February most will have fell into the wayside. This is often because we a) feel like we ‘should’ set goals like this b) are unclear of why we are setting these resolutions c) are not specific enough. Without a definite motivation we can lose our way very easily and forget about the actions we should be taking. Without clear ways of charting are progress (or lack of), we have no idea how we’re doing.

So, if you want to set yourself some big goals this year, here are 4 tips that will help you achieve them:

Think properly about why.

For example, you may want to get fitter - but why? Is it so you can fit into a different dress size? Is it so you will feel confident swimming in the summer? Is it because you want to be able to run around and play with the kids without having to pause for breath every couple of minutes. It is this end result that’s important to keep in mind, this is the thing that will drive you on when you don’t want to go to the gym, climb the stairs or go for a walk.

Be specific about your goals.

So, in the above example it’s not just about being ‘fitter’, but it’s about being able to walk around the block in 10minutes instead of 15minutes. It might be able being able to touch your toes or climb the stairs without needing a lie down. By giving ourselves defined targets to aim for we can more easily see how we’re doing.

Break your goals down.

Don’t try to change everything at once or you can easily get derailed. In our exercise example, unless you’re already used to a lot of running it would be unwise to try a marathon on your first day of getting fitter. It might be better to start with a programme like Couch to 5K which builds you up more gradually Alternatively you could go for a walk at lunch time 3 times a week, building up over the next month to 5 times a week. Look at where you are now and pick the next sensible step that will push you a little but not demotivate (or injure) you.

Be accountable.

Find a way of sharing your goals with someone. This could be friends, family or in a group like The Coaching Circle. It is so much harder to admit to others that you haven’t done something you set out to do than it is just to ignore it ourselves. Every week in The Coaching Circle we set out our weekly goals and share them with each other. At the end of the week we come back with a progress report. Not only does it help us stay on track (and the changes people have made have been amazing), but it also highlights where we aren’t doing so well and what other help we need.

I would love to know if you’re setting New Year’s Resolutions this year. If you want some support working them out, or figuring out how to keep them, then get in touch about individual coaching or join us over in The Coaching Circle.