Setting Yourself Up for Success In the New Year

Small changes can create a big difference.

When the New Year rolls around I feel overwhelmed with my list of resolutions for the next 12 months. For example:

• I want to lose 20 pounds.
• I want to spend less money on Amazon.
• I want to spend less time on my iPad.
• I want to spend more time with my friends.
• I want to read one book a month.
• I want to take a class in creative writing.
• I want to finish a jigsaw puzzle that’s been on our dining room table for 6 months.

Help!!!

These are all admirable goals, and I can see how you might feel stress around completing them all in one year. I’m a big believer in small changes making a big difference. Here is a guide to approaching your goals for the new year:

1. Prioritize your list from most important to least important.
2. Work your way through your list, one item at a time, and attach a timeline to it. Know that the timeline is adjustable.
3. Break each goal into chunks that are manageable. For example, losing 3 pounds a month may feel more doable than telling yourself you need to lose 20 pounds.

You want to set yourself up for mini-successes rather than one big success. Small successes will motivate you to complete each goal. You’ve probably heard the expression, “Slow and steady wins the race.” Make sure you commend yourself for reaching each mini-success.

I’m not sure if you watch Jeopardy on television, but there is a contestant, Amy Schneider, who has won over 30 games in a row. She doesn’t pull in gigantic amounts of money each show but is slowly (mini-successes) working her way to possibly being the longest and largest winning contestant on Jeopardy. I see her strategy: slow and steady wins the race. 

You may not ever be a contestant on Jeopardy, but you can reach your New Year goals and be proud of it!

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