At the start of almost every year, many people discuss their New Year’s resolutions. Conversations may start with, “I’m going to really focus on __________ this year.” Goals are set in the spirit of becoming a better YOU.

We try our best to stick to our new intentions, but life happens! What makes one person succeed while another person quits? It’s not like one resolution is easier than the other, as all are challenging to those that created them.

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons New Year’s resolutions may be unfulfilled.

Too Much Too Soon
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Have you ever heard this phrase? Imagine that you’re running a marathon. You may be so eager to cross the finish line that you forget to pace yourself. Instead of finishing the race, you get tired and you don’t make it to the finish line. Think of your goals like marathons.

Social Support
Trying to accomplish our goals may require support from family and friends. Everyone needs a cheering section to encourage them during challenging times and praise during moments of success.

Broad Expectations
It’s exciting to think about all that we want to accomplish! Our excitement may cause us to set really ambitious goals. As we begin to pursue them, accomplishing our goals can start to feel challenging or overwhelming. As we reconsider how we selected our resolution, we may notice the need to narrow our focus.

Here’s an example. We may set a goal to eat healthier in the new year. Our goal is set, but we didn’t really identify what eating healthier looks like and how to know if we’re on track. Our broad goal may set us up for expectations that we can’t fully meet.

A good rule of thumb when goal setting is the ‘SMART’ method.

SMART stands for: Specific— Measurable— Attainable— Relevant— Time-based

Expectation of Immediate Progress
No one gets it right every time because no one is perfect. Give yourself grace. Falling short doesn’t always mean failure; when you fall, acknowledge causes, create a plan to overcome them,and keep moving forward. expectation on you. If you have a friend who is grieving, simply being present and nonjudgmental can be a powerful gift.

Self Confidence
You may have enlisted 100 people to support you in your New Year’s resolution journey, but their belief in you cannot be greater than your belief in yourself. Talking ourselves through difficult situations or instances that shake our confidence is the type of encouragement we can immediately provide. If we allow it, self affirmations can work to combat self doubt.

Final Words
We believe that with these tips in mind, you’ll be able to accomplish your goals this year. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, so pace yourself to the finish line! If you find this post helpful, feel free to share it on your favorite social media platform and encourage others to practice Mindful Goal Setting.