Let’s talk goals and resolutions for the new year. Many people discuss wanting to come up with a “new year, new me” plan and sometimes this can be wonderful. However, sometimes people don’t go about this the correct way. This can mean setting unrealistic, unreasonable goals and expectations for oneself. An example might look like reading a 500 page book in a month. Now, for someone, this might be a very easy task and if that’s you, that’s lovely. However, if you’re trying to get back into reading, setting a smaller, more attainable goal first might be more ideal to help set you up for success. You might be able to, by the end of the year, complete a 500 page book. However, starting there is a big, daunting task.
I always encourage my clients and others to set realistic goals for yourself. Explore your goals and what is important to you. Set your goals, and figure out how to break those goals into smaller, more manageable goals, especially those goals that are larger and might take more time. Again, you can complete them, you can do anything you set your mind to. Let’s just also make it realistic and attainable.
When we set goals that are not realistic or attainable, and we can’t complete them in the time frame we wanted, we might feel bad about ourselves and give up. A lot of times that is why new years goals and resolutions do not work out is due to unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves. Let’s make sure we make them reasonable and attainable to achieve them.
If you are unsure about goals, explore the importance of each goal with yourself, the reasoning behind it, and your motivation. Have a discussion with your therapist or support system to process thoughts and feelings surrounding your goals and steps you plan to take. Also, it can be great to have some sort of accountability partner if you feel necessary for checking in.
Alexandria Henson, MA, LCPC, NCC