Summer is running away from us at the speed of lighting with more than half the year behind us. Most likely all those ambitious goals we laid out at the beginning of the year are still likely haunting us as the beat of time goes on and we head into fall. We jump into the year all fired up about the many things we want to conquer, and though are intentions are good, most times we over think those goals which puts us into overload. This in turn weighs us down, and hinders our grandiose plans.
According to U.S. News, on average nearly 80 percent of New Year’s Resolutions fail by the second week of February. These failures are due to many factors but mostly it is our inability and discomfort to embrace change. We tend to overstate our goals, neglect to prioritize and forget to outline the necessary steps needed to reach them. No matter the goals, sometimes it helps to be accountable to someone else. Whether you need to find a mentor, join a support group or rely on a friend or family member to cheer you on, there are plenty of resources in place to help you step out of your comfort zone and keep you on track to achieve your goals. The key is to stay focused, accountable and resilient.
So even though all the back to school merchandise is around us, let’s remember there is still time to take that plunge towards achieving our resolutions. Whether you need to take baby steps or you work better under full pressure, just go for it. Maybe you set out to lose 30 pounds, why not shoot for 10 pounds? Just incorporate making a few small changes like eliminating that morning pastry and adding a 20 minute walk to your day. If you had plans to learn a new skill, there should be no excuse this time of year since enrollment for classes are underway and the fall is a great time to learn something new. With so many classes to choose from and the flexibility of online learning and hybrid classes, you can participate in a class that works for your personal schedule. And if it’s time to reevaluate your business or professional growth, why not join a professional association related to your field or participate in a few professional networking events to meet new people?
Time is not our friend so we need to just stay focused on moving forward, even if it’s taking one small step towards one of our resolutions, which in the long run will make us a better individual and help us meet our short and long term goals.
