Why Setting Goals is better than Making Resolutions
By Boera Bisieri
Published January 19, 2018
People all over the world make resolutions and set goals for self-advancement and general wellbeing at the beginning of every year.
Desiring to change yourself for the better through New Year’s Resolutions is a beautiful thing though it does not go as far enough as setting up New Year’s Goals. Resolutions and Goals may sound quite the same but they are as different as the sky and the earth. How so?
RELATED:Seychelles Holds Sailing Competition to Promote Tourism
A Resolution is a statement of what you want to change, a strong decision to do or not to do something, but without a plan out on how to accomplish the desired change. For instance, ‘I want to lose weight’ is a common resolution on many people’s lists. Resolutions are abstract or vague ideas. We often focus on what we do not want rather than what we want.
Goals, on the other hand, are specific and measurable resolutions in time and space; goals direct your focus and attention; they provide specific directions to follow so you can achieve your desired results. For instance, instead of a resolution that says ‘I want lose weight’, a goal will says ‘I will work out three days a week, 30 minutes a day every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday.’ This ensures you adjust your calendar and create time for work out. It makes sure you stay focused and persistent.
So, instead of making resolutions, set goals for yourself.
RELATED:Illicit Financial Flows and Inadequate Energy Hinder Africa’s Industrialisation
That said, here is how to go about setting up goals:
- Set achievable goals that are just a little beyond your reach but not too far beyond
- Write down your goals as studies show that people who jot down their goals accomplish significantly more than those who do not
- Write what you want to do, not what you do not want to do. For instance instead of saying “avoid junk food”, say “Take one packet of chips in two weeks” to help you look at your goal positively
- Find someone, usually referred to as an accountability partner, to help keep you in check and support you in the process.
RELATED:Kenya to Deliver a Million Urban Housing Units by 2022
