We’ve all heard that January refrain – New Year, New Me! A New Year brings energy and optimism that motivates us to want to set goals and reinvent ourselves. Unfortunately, once the holiday spirit has worn off and we get back into our regular day-to-day routines, it’s hard to make those changes stick. Gym memberships are paid but left unused. We fall back into unhealthy eating habits. Over time, many of us give up on our resolutions and even forget why we made them in the first place.

Studies show that about half of all adults make New Year’s resolutions, but fewer than 10% manage to keep them for more than a couple of months.

Why is sticking to resolutions so tricky?

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Researchers have identified a few culprits, including not having a clear goal (I want to be healthier), having unrealistic expectations (I want to lose 20 lbs by March), or losing interest because we are pursuing long-term goals that don’t offer immediate results.

Sometimes, the biggest challenge isn’t knowing what we want to achieve – rather, it’s not knowing how or where to start. Even worse, when we set out to hold ourselves accountable and genuinely reflect on what it takes to change, we realize that we run the risk of failing. Better not to try at all than (gasp!) fail.

To help ensure success, the wellness experts at GoPivot encourage our clients and employees to take two steps before making a lasting change. 1- Define your goal, and 2- understand your ‘WHY.’

Step One: define your goal using the SMART methodology. SMART is an acronym that serves as a tool to help give us the clarity, focus, and motivation to stick to our goals. Using the SMART framework enables us to hone in on the ‘what’ and ‘how’ and define goals more thoughtfully.

• Start by setting a specific goal. Give your goal a definition, something that’s uncomplicated and sensible.
• Make sure it’s measurable – how will you know when it is accomplished? What would make you look back on your year with pride?
• Make sure your goal is attainable and realistic – choose one that you genuinely believe you can achieve. You’re probably not going to do a marathon right away if you’ve never run before. Start with a 5k.
• Last but not least, set a timeline for yourself. What’s something in the near future you’re looking forward to? Give yourself a highly motivating deadline to encourage you to stick to it.

Step Two: reflect on the ‘WHY’ behind making the change. At GoPivot, we believe that accomplishing our goals requires the right motivation. Why do you want to lose those 10 lbs? Why do you want to save more money? This year, we asked our employees, “what’s our reason to change in 2020?

Fortunately, we’re in an age where health and wellness have become a priority. People are motivated to eat cleaner, exercise, give back, and help save our planet. And, we have the knowledge and technology available at our fingertips to make a lasting change. More and more, people have access to healthy food, affordable gym memberships, and widespread awareness about the importance of creating a sustainable future. The question is becoming not ‘how,’ but ‘why’? Why change? What’s my reason for wanting to change my future for the better?

What are your Resolutions for 2020? What’s your reason to change?