Manthagini

I have set so many failed New Year’s resolutions. Have you? Revisiting my resolutions, I realized why I failed them—they were not SMART. A SMART resolution is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. My resolutions often failed because they were not achievable. Instead of setting manageable, small goals, I aimed for complete overhauls.

Since realizing this, I’ve applied the SMART principle to my writing journey. Instead of focusing on completing an entire book, I committed to writing a small snippet each day. Instead of fixating on the outcome, I concentrated on the process. The purpose of the process isn’t just to achieve goals; it’s to foster self-improvement.

Does a New Year’s resolution have to start on January 1st? Not at all! Imagine your resolution is to diet and lose weight, but you have a New Year’s party with your family. Why not start the next day? Any day is a good day to begin. And if you falter along the way, reframe it as part of the journey and move ever more forward.

Research suggests that approach-oriented goals are more successful than avoidance-oriented ones. But what are approach-oriented goals? Rather than focusing on avoiding or quitting something, approach-oriented goals emphasize adopting new, positive habits. This shift makes resolutions more empowering and sustainable.

So, are you ready on January 2nd to begin your New Year’s resolution? I am! My goal is to restart my habit of doing half an hour of yoga each morning—a practice I discontinued due to long and frequent travels.

See you in the New Year! Wishing you a positive and fulfilling year ahead to Live Ever More!