We’re all guilty of it – setting resolutions for the New Year that we surely intend to accomplish. Buuuut, things get in the way like babies, kids’ activities, work deadlines or potty training. By the time NYE rolls around again, we’re hoping our glass of bubbly clouds feelings of defeat and disappointment. Cheers to a New Year (of unaccomplished goals)!
Maybe we should just skip the New Year’s resolutions? Instead we could coddle our bruised egos a little more and avoid the self-loathing all together. Sounds nice, but while this easy way out might make for a free spirited NYE 2015, it’s hardly the best path for personal growth.
Even if you’re not a self-help junkie, setting New Year’s resolutions is a great teaching opportunity for your kiddos. I want to teach my son the importance of setting goals to motivate, encourage and provide direction to him throughout life. As a budding two year old, his direction is limited to “up, mama” but soon enough he’ll be a lil’ man who’ll benefit from designing a life he loves.
Instead of skipping New Year’s resolutions this year, take a few minutes to transform your goals into ones that you’ll actually achieve.
Start by linking your resolutions to a deeper sense of purpose. Goals linked to a purpose provide us meaningful clarity about why we want to achieve a specific goal. We’re more likely to achieve a goal when we can envision, imagine, and connect with how life will be after our goal(s) are reached.
We often set goals such as:
I want to exercise.
I want to get that big promotion.
I want to lose 10 lbs.
I want to eat healthier.
I want to quit coffee.
I want to complete a triathlon.
I want to grow my business.
While these goals may be exactly “what” we want to achieve, we’re missing the “why.”
The “why” is the key ingredient, the real motivation, that drives us to take steps everyday towards that goal. The “why” picks us back up after a setback and keeps us marching forward.
A perfect example is the unspoken goal “to be the best mom I can be for my kiddos.” Everyday, you get up, smile, give hugs, share love, teach, take care of, feed, listen. You take steps and make strides daily towards this unspoken goal of being a great mom. Even on the toughest, most chaotic days, you keep going. Your purpose is clear. He’s right in front of you. Every step you take towards this goal makes his life bigger, better and more beautiful.
Take another goal you have for this year and make it count like motherhood.
Why do you want to exercise more? What will be different about your life? How will exercise create a better life for you? Can you imagine this life?
Without a clear purpose to our goals, the dishes, the dog and the deadlines will trump your commitment to yourself. You have the power to go deep, to find that clarity that will take you through the toughest days and the biggest setbacks. You, mama, have the power to achieve your New Years resolutions with a clear PURPOSE driving you to New Years Eve 2015.