Resolve to Resolve Better - SMART Goals, 2014 Edition

   As December draws to a close, while we find ourselves contemplating the BEST HIGH FIVE or the MOST MAJESTIC PUGS of 2014, our minds inevitably turn to pondering potential resolutions for the coming new year.  Though the routine may be quite common, the concept of the “New Year’s Resolution” is as much lampooned as it is celebrated, if not more so.  Why?  Because changing your habits is hard and that motivation you feel on the 31st may find a way to sneak off by the time the sun sets on the 1st.  The following is a little toolkit to help you set up your goals for 2015 and stick with them.  May the Force be with you!

Part 1 – The problem with your goal:
               The real reason most people struggle to achieve a goal is because they design one they can’t quantify or translate into a specific action.  For example: “My new year’s resolution is to be happier.”  What does that mean?  How does one "be happier"?  And how will you know when you've achieved it?  

Part 2 - Redesigning your goal:
               It is much easier to succeed if you use this SMART goal template.
S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Attainable
R - Relevant
T - Time-bound

              Ok!  Now we have our template, let's rework that original goal.  If you want to "be happier", it helps to do things that make you feel happy...so what might those things be?  Do you like going bowling with your buds?  Do you savor a productive Monday morning at work?  There are countless possibilities but let's focus on these two and write a new goal:

              "In 2014 I will go bowling with my buds once a week and I will not check my personal email or go on Facebook until noon on Mondays."

             Now this new goal does not have the grandeur of its original version, but it's about one million times more likely to actually work because it's SMART.  (See what I did there?)

Specific - It lists two two simple and straight-forward actions towards your underlying happiness goal.
Measurable - You can literally write down each week weather you bowled/held off emailing or not.
Attainable - You didn't say "go bowl every night" or "never take a break at work". This is actually doable.
Relevant - These two things matter to you, they're not just something you feel like you should want to do.
Time-bound - For the 52 weeks of 2014, you are going to do each thing once a week.

Part 3 - Extra bits that always help:

Accountability
-Write it down, everyday.
-Tell a friend.  If the two of you set the same goal, you can help each other stick to it.  Teamwork!

Forgiveness
-At some point in 365 days, you're probably going to miss a day or backslide or just plain forget.  This is OK.  It happens.  Move on.  "Failing" for one day, a week, or even a month is not a reason to throw in the towel for the whole year.  Get back on the horse.

Last but not least: Consider joining the ShockYard's 6-Week Boot Camp Challenge starting January 12th!  Featuring: 3X per week group strength training, bonus dance, massage, and nutrition sessions, as well as fitness testing with prizes for the top finisher and most improved.

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Don't forget our 1-YEAR BUSINESS BIRTHDAY PARTY, January 7th, 6-8PM!

Featuring food from Mamma Mia's Restaurant and a cash bar.

We will also be giving out prizes for the winners of our Holiday Run/Walk Challenge, which includes a new pair of kicks from Marathon Sports!