New Year Resolution: Why Setting Goals at the Beginning of the Year Is Not Always Sustainable

We are quickly approaching the end of the year… And usually, we start to prepare already for the new year when many of us make resolutions with the best intentions. We aspire to become better versions of ourselves, to achieve new heights, and to overcome our shortcomings. However, as the year unfolds, we often find ourselves falling short of these ambitious resolutions. In this article, we'll explore the reasons behind the struggle to maintain these goals and discuss the importance of aligning our aspirations with our values.

Why Do New Year's Resolutions Often Fail?

1. Misaligned Goals

One of the primary reasons for the failure of New Year's resolutions is that we often set goals that aren't aligned with our true values. Our subconscious mind plays a crucial role in achieving our objectives, and when our goals don't resonate with our core values, our subconscious is less likely to support us in reaching them.

2. Conflicting Desires

Another common pitfall is setting goals that clash with our genuine desires. For instance, you might set a goal to increase your work-related earnings, but deep down, what you truly desire is more leisure time. This internal conflict can hinder your progress and motivation.

3. Poor Goal Formulation

Many people struggle with setting goals effectively. Without a clear, actionable plan, it can be challenging to attract the opportunities necessary to achieve your objectives. Proper goal formulation is essential for success.

Understanding Values

Values are the guiding principles that dictate how we live our lives. They are the priorities we place on different aspects of our life, including mental development, finances, vocation, social connections, family, physical health, and spirituality. These values define our identity, purpose, and areas of excellence.

What values are not:

- They are not social desirability (choosing values to fit in).

- They are not inherently good or bad.

- They are not fantasies; you already possess them.

Values are unique to each individual and can evolve over time due to significant life events or emotional shifts. Recognizing these changes is crucial for maintaining alignment with your goals.

General Considerations for Goal Setting

1. Clarify Your Goals

When setting goals, it's crucial to define them clearly and consider how they fit into various aspects of your life. These aspects may include career, family, friendships, finances, and health. Defining goals in each relevant domain, we have a better chance of achieving balance and happiness in our lives. This allows us to manage our time and resources more efficiently, guiding us toward holistic development and long-term satisfaction. Balancing your aspirations in each area is vital to realizing your full potential.

2. Find Inspiration

Your goals should be positive and inspirational. Pursue what genuinely excites you, something that motivates you to get out of bed in the morning. Understand the "why" behind your objectives. For example, if you aim to boost your income, ask yourself why it's important. What do you want to achieve with that extra income?

I'm not saying it's wrong to have such financial motivations; on the contrary, it's ambitious, and I congratulate you if it's one of your goals. But clarify why you want this.?

• What do you want to achieve with significantly higher income??
• What's your vision??
• When you reach 80 and look back on your life, what would you want to be proud of??

That's why I consider having a vision of your life, a constant reminder of the purpose you're striving for through your repeated actions, to be so crucial. It helps you focus and be less disturbed by external factors or comparisons.

3. Make Goals Concrete and Measurable

Goals should be tangible and quantifiable, not vague concepts or emotions. You need a clear plan with defined milestones. For instance, rather than aiming to "learn a new language," set a specific goal like "reach a conversational level in Spanish within six months."

On the other hand, a state is an emotion or disposition that we feel at a particular moment, such as happiness or anxiety. The key difference is that states cannot be measured tangibly and are not objectives in themselves. Besides, we can control and influence our emotional states. Take the desire to be happy, for example. If we focus on a happy memory, we can recreate that state of happiness right now.

4. Goals Aren't Fantasies

It is easy to fall into the trap of "when I achieve X, I will be rid of all problems" or "only when I fulfill X goal will I be happy." There is a risk that when you reach your destination, not only will you not have solved your problems, but you may encounter others.

This is the reason why goals should not be escapist fantasies. Avoid thinking that achieving a particular goal will solve all your problems. It's essential to anticipate the challenges and responsibilities that come with success.

5. Motivation Is Key

If a goal is congruent with your vision and is something you like, motivation exists automatically. You know those seminars where they tell you, "You will succeed... you are the best, it will be extraordinary," and people get a boost and say, "Wow, I'm so motivated now".... but it's short-lived.

It's more of an enthusiasm because if the goal is not inspirational, deeply congruent with you and your values, you won't be motivated for long. Working towards its achievement will be a burden.

Now, of course, there are also external motivational factors, and humans, as human beings, need recognition. So, let's not fall into the trap that external motivational factors are toxic.

6. Create an Action Plan

The action plan is the map that guides your steps towards achieving the proposed goal. If the goal is the destination, the action plan is the exact route you must follow to get there. It's your concrete path to success.

Why is it so important to have an action plan? Because a goal, no matter how clear or grand it may be, remains just a dream if you don't have a set of practical and achievable steps to reach it. The action plan transforms the dream into reality by breaking down the goal into small, clear, and achievable steps.

The steps in the action plan must be realistic and take into account your available resources, the time you can dedicate, and your current abilities. Each step must be well-defined and quantifiable to allow you to measure progress and always know which way you are heading.

An action plan provides you with structure and discipline. It helps you stay organized and prioritize your activities. It also offers clarity and confidence because you know exactly what you need to do at each stage of your journey towards the goal.

With a well-defined action plan, every day becomes an opportunity to make progress and get closer to your dream. Proper planning and consistent execution of your action plan are the keys to achieving your goals and turning your dreams into tangible achievements.

Measuring Success and Celebrating Achievements

Measuring success and celebrating every achievement are essential elements in your journey towards achieving your vision. Measuring progress provides you with a clear perspective on the direction you are heading and shows you that the small steps you take daily truly matter.

When you evaluate your progress, you can see with your own eyes how far you have come and identify the areas in which you can still grow and evolve.

Then, celebrating each success is an act of recognition of your hard work and commitment. Whether it's a big or small accomplishment, celebrating it gives you a moment of joy and strengthens your self-confidence.

Enjoy the Ride

The process itself, with all its teachings, challenges, and achievements, is an important part of your growth and development experience. Each day brings new opportunities and valuable lessons, and despite the obstacles, difficult moments, or temporary failures, your journey is a story worth savoring.

So I urge you with all my heart: with every step you take towards your vision, celebrate your successes and learn from challenges. Enjoy every moment and remember that each experience contributes to shaping the person you will become. Be grateful for your journey and continue to move forward with a heart full of determination and enthusiasm.?

You are unique! And your journey is unique. And when you truly realize this, you will be able to truly enjoy the experiences you live. And, perhaps without even realizing exactly how it happened, one day you will wake up and say, "Wow, I really did it. I've achieved this goal."

Good luck on this beautiful journey of yours!

And I remind you that if you need a trusted companion on this journey, a companion to support you, guide you, listen to you, and be there for you, a cerebral companion who has the right techniques and tools in their luggage to make the journey more enjoyable, comfortable, and successful, I'm here ready to join you.

I would be delighted to help you achieve your goals, no matter how grand they may be! Write to me, and we can discuss: [email protected] ?