Tag Archive for: Goal setting

How to Get Your New Year Resolutions Back on Track

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A few years ago I made what most would think a pretty simple resolution. I resolved to make the year about me. I was going to try to stop putting everyone else ahead of myself all of the time. I was going to get manicures when I wanted them, go to a movie once in a while, treat myself to new clothes, etc. Sound a little backwards? Well maybe for most, but for me it was a significant change. So much so that I still wasn’t able to follow through with it! I had the most selfish resolution in the world and I still wasn’t able to stick to it! So if you already broke your New Year’s Resolution on January 3rd, don’t worry; you’re not alone. Luckily a resolution is not about a specific day, it’s about you and your promise to yourself. You can still get your goals back on track with these helpful tips.

Tips to Get Your New Year Resolutions Back on Track:

  1. Reassess: Take a moment to really sit down and talk to yourself. Look within and determine how much youhow to get your new year resolutions back on track really want this and what you’re willing to do to get it.
  2. Make sure your goal is realistic: If you set an impossible goal for yourself you are more likely to become discouraged when things don’t work out as you hoped, and then give up on your goals. On the flipside, you don’t want to make things too easy either. Push yourself, but don’t go crazy!
  3. Split it up: Split your goal up into smaller goals. A resolution to lose 50 pounds can be quite daunting, but if you decide to lose 4-5 pounds a month it is much more doable.
  4. Reward yourself: Resolutions can often feel like a negative experience. Often people give up a lot to meet their resolutions, but 6 months later they are miserable. Even if you can’t have that pizza or your favorite ice cream, you can find other ways to reward yourself for a job well done. Get a manicure or a massage, plan a night out with some friends, or get a cute new workout shirt! Many people reward their kids for a good report card, but they forget to reward themselves.
  5. Buddy up: Sometimes you may need a support system, someone to challenge you, or just company in general. There’s a good chance that someone you know has a same or similar resolution. Especially if your goal is to lose weight or train for a run. Find someone else with a common goal, and help each other through it.
  6. Get started!: A body in motion tends to stay in motion. A body at rest tends to stay at rest. So put down the iPad or step away from your computer and get started! Go for a walk or a run, schedule that next event, or go clean the junk food out of your kitchen. There is no time like the present.

There you have it. 6 easy steps. Hopefully you’ll be back on track in no time. You can do it! J

Click here to read 5 Healthy New Year Resolutions.

Healthy Habits for 2013: Teaching Your Children the Importance of Goal Setting

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As I stated in my previous blogs, a new year often means a new start and new goals for the upcoming months.  As adults (parents, goal settingteachers, therapists), we have a huge influence upon the lifestyles of the children around us that will impact the way that they are going to live. We need to make sure that we are teaching our children well so that they may learn how to make their own healthy choices in the future. This includes setting both short-term goals and long-term goals.

Here are a few simple tips to keep with you and your family as you reflect on the year ahead:

  • Help your child set goals that will be measurable and attainable. If the goal is unrealistic, the child will most likely not be successful in reaching it. He or she will give up before any progress is made. Start small and remember that you do not always have to aim for 100% completion of a task (e.g. By April, I will be able to tie 1 of my 2 shoes independently).
  • Set a variety of goals, including various skills and settings. For example, help your child to set goals for home, school, and within his extracurricular activities. Similarly, help your child to set goals related to both fine motor skills, gross motor skills and/or social skills (e.g. By the end of the month, I will ask two different friends to come over for a play date).
  • Try brainstorming different ideas by using probing questions. For example, ask your child, “Is there something one of your friends knows how to do that you would like to be able to do?” Another question may be, “What is one thing that is really easy for you at school and one thing that is challenging for you at school?” You may also make the question more specific, such as, “What is one way that you could improve your handwriting this semester?”
  • Make sure to hold one another accountable in working towards and reaching these goal. Celebrate when a family member is successful (e.g. write goals on a family wipe-off board or calendar).
  • Remember to praise even the smallest steps when working towards a goal and offer constructive feedback rather than negative feedback.  An example is “I really like how you’re keeping your eyes on the ball, now try to catch the ball with your hands rather than against your body!” rather than “You’re having a hard time catching the ball in your hands.”

As you can see, there are several easy ways to incorporate New Year’s resolutions and goal setting into your family’s daily activities! Make sure you are demonstrating the importance of creating attainable and meaningful goals to your children by making it a priority in your own life. Feel free to reach out to your child’s classroom teacher, sports coaches or therapist in order to collaborate on individualized goals for the New Year.

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