Starting over, and starting up

As the old year of 2023 wound down and the new one was on the horizon, I imagine many us turned our thoughts to the way we will greet, meet and initiate the upcoming year. Perhaps many also decided to resolve to change a behavior or set a goal using New Year’s Resolutions. Not to be pessimistic, but most resolutions fail, and fail rather quickly.

Fewer than 9% of Americans who make resolutions succeed in achieving them. 23% quit after the first week and 43% had ceased all efforts toward achieving their resolutions by the end of the month of January.

Why such abysmal outcomes? There are a variety of reasons including the timing of the goal setting, failure to plan for obstacles and challenges to the resolution, and not much understanding the neurobiology of goal setting. This includes how your brain has been trained to react over your lifetime. Finally, with most resolutions there isn’t any accountability if you are the only person involved with the goal.

So what can we do to achieve the goals we want whether it is January 1st or any other time of the year. Here are a few suggestions:

· Set the final goal, but also set a series of steps for achievement of that goal. Mini steps, so to speak. Then when a step is achieved, celebrate or reward yourself in some small way.

· Use SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time bound. This helps you assess what you really want, how you will validate your success, if what you want is attainable and relevant to your wants and needs. Also, can you do it over a designated timeline, step by step.

· Remember to reward and celebrate each successful mini-goal step of the journey.

· Recognize that goals usually start at a time of change or a need for some change. Knowing that is helpful for good self-assessment and awareness.

· Know from step one that there will be obstacles and challenges. Be flexible and open enough to thoroughly evaluate all of the potential ways to get through the challenge.

· Find an effective way to hold yourself accountable to your goals and timeline. This could take the form of an accountability partner or deep self-assessment followed by action!!

There is another support to reaching your resolved goals. Using the brilliance of affirmations is very effective. Brain programming and circuiting began at your birth by

family, the world and societal influences around you, experience, school and training. You can take the reins and create your own circuitry by making new neuropathways using the simple technique of affirmations. This is evidence based, therapeutic technique and will be a wonderful support on your resolution journey.

Join us on February 10, 2024 at 1pm EST for a workshop about how affirmations work and how to build your own for the most effective outcomes. Learn more about resolutions and goal setting that works! As always contact me at sandy@asandyplace.com with questions, to work with me, or to simply find out more about engaging with www.asandyplace.com

Happy New Year everyone and may your New Year be rich in life, love and wellbeing!

Sandra L. Place

sandy@asandyplace.com

www.asandyplace.com