• Nationwide
  • Toronto
  • Vancouver
  • Calgary
  • Montreal
  • Los Angeles
  • Chicago
  • NYC
Eligible Magazine
  • Dating
    • Editor’s Dating Notes
    • Better Dating Ideas
    • “The Bachelor” Advice
    • Guy Talk
    • Girl Talk
  • Relationships
  • Sex
  • Events
  • Fashion
    • Men’s Style
    • Women’s Style
  • Lifestyle
    • Gossip
    • Wine & Dine
    • Luxurious Living
    • Entertainment
    • Destinations
  • Wellness
    • Men’s Fitness
    • Women’s Fitness
    • Get Inspired
    • Doctor’s Orders
    • A Better YOU
    • Beauty
  • Bachelor & Bachelorette
  • Cities
    • Nationwide
    • Toronto
    • Vancouver
    • Calgary
    • Montreal
    • Los Angeles
    • Chicago
    • NYC
Resolutions
A Better YOU 0

Preparing Your New Year’s Resolutions Early

By Shauna Cassell · On November 15, 2017

Resolutions, which is a big fancy word for goals, is causing a lot of impulsive decision-making at the beginning of each year. This is the time most of us decide to change something in our lives. However, with no strategy and no real thought, our New Year’s resolutions become more of a wish list and leads to unnecessary spending. How do we maintain discipline and motivation in keeping our resolutions come month three and onwards? The first step is to recognize that setting goals requires a strategy- you must be SMART about it.

Specific: Do you want to lose the weight? Are you serious about getting your finances in order? Let’s be honest, most people talk about what they hope to do, but are not clear about what it is they are really trying to achieve. Be clear about what the goal is that you are trying to accomplish. Also, how and why will it be accomplished? How much weight do you want to lose? How do you plan to lose the weight? For example, I will lose 10 pounds by joining a gym.

preparing early for the new year

Measurable: Is your goal measurable? How many times of the week will you exercise? How much weight to you want to lose? It is important to use at least two indicators to determine when you’ve reached a goal. What metrics will you use? For example, I will go to the gym two to three times a week, and spend one hour exercising. Now you will know when you are falling behind, and then can do something about it.

Achievable: Is your goal possible? Setting a goal should challenge you, but not defeat you. How do you motivate yourself to lose weight when you know you don’t enjoy working out? Can you walk on a treadmill every morning? What about joining a dance class? The idea is to think about the best way you can achieve this new goal. If you feel that you won’t be disciplined enough by yourself, then get a partner. Everything is more fun with someone. Ensure that your goal will be possible for you.

Results-focused: prepare early for your New YearsWhat are your reasons for wanting to achieve this goal? Is it for health reasons? Is it to fit into your bikini come spring break? Knowing what the benefits of your new goal will be, is a great motivator. Consider visualizing this goal by posting a picture of your vacation spot or your future self in a place you’re able to see each morning.

RELATED: Avoid New Years Resolution Failures 

Time-bound: Setting a date is important for every goal because it creates a sense of urgency. For instance, I will exercise for three months and lose 5 pounds each month. When you’ve long forgotten about the resolutions you made at the beginning of the year, you’ll now have formed a habit, and a timeline to follow.

Being SMART when it comes to goals is necessary and important. Avoid purchasing a gym membership that you will never use. Having discipline and motivation will ensure that your resolutions will stick. Let’s get smart and set those New Year’s resolutions early.

 

Share Tweet

Shauna Cassell

Shauna is a contributing writer at Eligible Magazine. She also writes press releases for the Jamaica Diaspora Association on the following websites: Calling All Jamaicans and Jamaicans.com Having studied criminology and political science at the University of Toronto, her passion is to make a difference within the criminal justice system. In her spare time, you can find her hiking or jogging on a nearby trail, writing, reading a novel or travelling. Learn more about Shauna’s travel experiences on her blog: Journey to Jamaica

You Might Also Like

  • Girl Talk

    So What’s With This Term, “Dog Mommy”?

  • happy people A Better YOU

    10 Habits Of Ridiculously Happy People!

  • dating profiles Dating

    Top 7 Dating Profiles

More from this author

  • Dating Ideas Montreal Better Dating Ideas

    Better Dating Ideas Montreal

  • Dating Ideas Montreal Better Dating Ideas

    Better Dating Ideas Montreal

  • Dating Ideas Montreal Better Dating Ideas

    Better Dating Ideas Montreal

No Comments

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Search

Subscribe & Follow

Follow @EligibleZine
Follow on Instagram
Eligible Magazine Pheed
Follow eligiblezine

Find us on Facebook

Eligible TV

Twitter: eligiblezine

  • There really is no place like home especially when our beaches are this beautiful we got together the best beaches… https://t.co/hiMFCfYUoO 04:00:23 PM July 12, 2019 from Hootsuite Inc.
  • RT @EligibleZine: As time goes, on nature takes its course. An aging parent is hard enough to handle, let alone while keeping your relation… 11:43:50 AM July 12, 2019 from Twitter for iPhone
  • Comfort is great when it comes to beds, couches and clothes but for your life it can be limiting to your best poten… https://t.co/Le9uIQq6pg 10:45:15 AM July 08, 2019 from Hootsuite Inc.

Eligible Poll

Eligible Magazine now available on iPad, iPhone and smartphone

  • Contributors

About

Eligible Magazine is a lifestyle magazine for urban men and women who want the best from their dating life, their relationships and themselves. It features articles and video content on dating, relationships, sex, wellness and lifestyle by some of the country's foremost experts. The magazine is available online, for sale on Apple's Newsstand for your iPad or iPhone and soon to be in print.

Recent Posts

  • Two Iconic Toronto Lifestyle Brands Unite

  • motionball 2022

    Motionball 2022 – Why You Should Mark Your Calendar

  • Why A Staycation Is Perfect For Your Next Date Night

  • Perfume for Women: What’s the Difference?

Contact

Contact Eligible Magazine
Work for Eligible Magazine
Advertise with Eligible Magazine
Write for Eligible Magazine
Unsubscribe
Privacy Policy

Search

© 2013 Eligible Magazine. All rights reserved.
  • Sitemap
  • Help
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Copyright
  • Privacy & Cookie Policy
  • Advertising
  • Announcements
Eligible Magazine
Eligible Magazine on Apple App Store