It’s almost a new year, which means there’s a pretty good chance you’re going to make a New Year’s resolution. Did you know that only 8% of people achieve their resolutions?
That does not mean 92% of people are failures, it just means that we’re probably not structuring our resolutions in a way that sets us up for successful outcomes. So how can we increase our odds of success?
Here’s what we’d recommend: instead of setting a big daunting goal that won’t be measured for another year, we recommend structuring your goal setting in smaller, manageable increments. Continually creating micro goals and experiencing success from small time period to small time period builds momentum throughout the year. Each small, manageable success feels good and gives you the energy and enthusiasm you need to set your sites on the next small goal ahead.
“I want to climb that mountain,” versus “I’m going to walk one mile in the direction of my goal by next Sunday.” Which approach do you think will lead to better results?
For instance, let’s say your New Year’s resolution is to be healthier. Here’s a possible path forward:
- Next week, make it your micro goal to cut sugary drinks and sodas out of your diet (yes, you should get rid of diet sodas too). Drink water and herbal tea instead.
- Seven days later, evaluate how you did, and carry your micro goal forward while adding a new micro goal on top of it: eat at least 5-7 servings of fruits or veggies every day of the week.
- During week 3, in addition to carrying forward your first two accomplishments, take aim at the refined carbohydrates in your diet: instead of white bread, french fries, and white rice, switch to unrefined carbohydrates like whole grain sourdough bread, baked sweet potatoes, and brown rice.
- Week 4, create a new micro goal or just focus on perfectly adhering to all three of your previous goals until they become established as part of your normal dietary pattern.
Day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year – these small goals and successes will soon add up to a mountain of success that you’ll look at and say, “wow, look how far I’ve come… now what’s my resolution for next week?”
In 2018, don’t aim for one BIG resolution, start achieving multiple “little” resolutions that will add up to be way bigger (and ironically far more doable) than anything you could have imagined.
Lastly, “failure” is ok! If you don’t quite meet a goal one week or you have a setback, don’t wallow in guilt or self-doubt. Instead, use your mistakes to help you learn. Keep moving forward and your successes will soon far outweigh your learning moments.
Now, what small accomplishments are you going to aim for during the first week of January?
Coming To You Next Week, Plus Our Holiday Schedule:
Next week’s farm boxes will have:
- organic Romaine lettuce from Better Life Farm,
- beefsteak tomatoes from Dassi Family Farm,
- rainbow chard from Sundial,
- cauliflower from Gaytan Farm,
- spicy salad mix from Sage Mountain Farm,
- Pink Lady apples, blood oranges, Cara Cara oranges, and Satsumas from Sweet Tree
Next week’s schedule (Jan 1 – Jan 5):
- Corporate delivery – Tues
- Home delivery – Wed & Thurs
Get your Daily Harvest Express order placed right now (or no later than Monday evening at 5pm) so you can enjoy another week of fresh, healthy food from local farmers!
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