New Year, New You?

The calendar year rolls on in a few days to tell us a new year is starting. Many will re-evaluate their lives around this time, their relationship status, family life, financial situation and/or health. New resolutions and promises will be made with the best of intentions, but these are often very difficult to live up to. Perhaps we sometimes set ourselves up for failure with unrealistic expectations of what we are capable of and what time and resources we have available.

Try using the SMART goals guide; this stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time sensitive/measurable. In short, don't set goals for yourself that are unrealistic! Remember that it is highly improbable that you will, for example, suddenly conjure up motivation for something you have never tried, or have failed at before, so either make a different goal or start very small using the acronym above.

Try to make your new year's resolution to be not just good for you, but maybe provide enjoyment and fun. For example, if you plan on joining a gym, try joining with a friend and meet up there at least once a week to incorporate some social time, not just hard work - where's the fun in hard work, especially alone?

Remember, it may be a new year, but it will still be one day after the next, and your life won't suddenly change because of a number on a calendar. It is a useful process to evaluate where you are at in your life and what you want to change, but you can do that at anytime in the year, not just because it's January.

So take it easy on yourself, make a small change if you are so inclined, and enjoy the benefits of that before making any other plans. To succeed at a small goal is far healthier for your mental health than to fail at a larger, unrealistic one.