’Tis the Season to Set Goals & Fail Miserably!
With another Christmas and New Years in the books, it’s that time of year where everyone loves to reflect and plan some goals for the year. While this is an antiquated tradition, it still seems popular among both older and younger populations. Along with setting goals comes the inevitable failure of goals. According to an article in Forbes Magazine a whopping 40% of people make new years resolutions and according to a study at Scranton University, only 8% actually stick to them.
Why January 1st? Be Flexible when Setting Goals!
Have you ever stopped and wondered why people like to set goals starting January 1st? Well, for obvious reasons it marks the beginning of a new year. A new year means a new start. But it also marks some of the coldest months of the year. DON’T WAIT! Be realistic about your motivation and don’t set yourself up for failure. If you are serious about making a change you need to think of “every day” as a new beginning and a fresh start. Don’t get stuck on the notion that a goal needs to start on a certain date. Be flexible and forgiving. If you have a set back one day, start fresh the next day. Every day is a new opportunity for growth and change. Don’t equate a setback to a total failure.
Start yesterday, start today, or set an end date by which you must start your goal!
Match Your Motivation for the Best Outcomes
If you aren’t realistic about your motivation level then you will quit before you start. For example, March 1st might be a better start date because it’s warmer and the gym won’t be as busy. If you aren’t a “winter” person and the idea of going to the gym after work when its cold and dark outside isn’t motivating then start in the spring when you are more likely to stick to the plan. Any regular gym-goer knows that January and February are the most annoying months to go to the gym. That’s when all the people who set resolutions are starting their membership. It’s busy, intimidating and the equipment is always in use. By March most people have given up or failed at their goals and the gym is back to normal. So if you get easily intimidated by lots of people at a gym or overwhelmed by crowds then wait until spring or start before Christmas.
Get Help!
Goals are easier to obtain and a more enjoyable process when you have someone to help you. Getting a professional to help you get started is a great way to take the work out of the process. A Physical Therapist or Exercise Physiologist is trained to help you succeed by:
- Assessing your readiness for change using the Stages of Change Model
- Identifying and overcoming your previous barriers to change
- Developing a personalized plan of action
- Helping you put your action plan into daily manageable tasks
- Success Within Your Means
While we all want to feel the success of change that comes over time and with hard work. Of course, working with a professional has associated costs. At Venture Rehab, we can work with your budget to develop a plan that works with and for you. Book a assessment and we can outline our recommendations while working with a payment plan that works for you. By setting up both expectations and cost at the beginning you will feel great knowing you are getting the help you need within your means.
Don’t Procrastinate
Change is hard. Sticking to an action plan is hard. Start by tackling the hardest step and book your initial assessment with one of our university trained therapists and be sure to follow our Facebook Page for continued wellness support and educational information. Together we will make a plan that fits your lifestyle and helps you achieve whatever you set your heart to.
If we aren’t in your local area we are still happy to offer educational wellness information because we believe everyone deserves to live their best life at optimum wellness. Drop us a line and tell us what health issue you would like to learn more about. We would be happy to address your questions or health concerns in our ongoing Wellness Blog available on our website and Facebook page!