In 2018 I will....

It's the start of 2018 and it's the time to talk about our resolutions for the new year. So, how can we set ourselves up to really stick to all of these positive habits that we set for ourselves.

One strategy is to write out concrete goals for yourself.  Avoid wishy washy language that gives you an out.  Start each resolution with the words "I will..." Example: "I will drink 12 glasses of water everyday for the next 30 days". Don't use language that gets you out of the commitment. Example, "I will try to drink 12 glasses of water everyday for the rest of the year."   Lots of "outs" on this goal.

Moreover, the more concrete we are in our Resolution(s), the more we encourage self-accountability in meeting our goals.   When our goals are too general and written down with any words of uncertainty, then we can make excuses for why we didn't hit our goal.  This doesn't mean that you have to change everything in your life in one year.  Instead choose your top 5, prioritize them, give them a specific timeline, and then decide of those 5 what you can actually do with success.  Change doesn't happen overnight, it comes after making thoughtful small changes and choices about how you want to live.

When I worked in corporate marketing, at the beginning of each year, we would spend multiple days and many hours developing strategies to acquire new customers and retain our existing ones. Then we would review those strategies, refine them over more hours and days and then present them to management for approval.  Once approved, my plan was shared with everyone and I was accountable to hit my annual plan.  I was 100% accountable to the goals I developed.   When I look back and think about how much time and energy I put into developing annual marketing goals, in comparison, I should easily be able to spend even a quarter of the time on my own personal health, fitness and life goals starting with a New Years resolution.

So with that, I will share one of my resolutions with you:

 I will not eat processed foods or sugars for 30 days.

May you find 2018 filled with love, joy, wonder and good health.  Hope to see you for a workout soon.

Best,
Barb