As you’re well aware, the beginning of a New Year is a time many people choose to make a resolution — a goal or declaration to accomplish a specific goal, or abstain from a certain habit.
However, according to U.S. News, “By the second week of February, some 80 percent of those resolution-ers are back home with a new kind of remorse staring back at them in the mirror — the remorse of disappointment. Why is it that with such good intentions, getting fit, losing weight and improving our lives seems so elusive?”
Some of the problem may be in the resolution itself — with many people choosing alternatives to goal setting, such as choosing a “word of the year” over a specific resolution. Take Melinda Gates, for example, who chooses a word of the year — “that encapsulates my aspirations for the twelve months ahead,” she said.
Fitness industry veteran Allison Flatley presented another alternative to resolutions: a “theme word,” with specific goals under that theme that support it.
“Last year, I wanted to do something different than I usually do, so I did a lot of research on goal setting,” she explained. “I narrowed it down to a theme word and goals toward that under each goal area. It was my first time doing goal setting this way and I loved the concept.”
Flatley’s theme word for 2019 was “strength,” and her business, personal/family and health and fitness goals were all based around strength.
What did this help her achieve? “Having a theme word allowed me to focus and constantly reinforce my goals,” explained Flatley. “It also gave me an easy question to ask myself: Is this activity strengthening my business, my family or me?”
Over the years, Flatley explained she’s always done goal setting in these categories:
- Career and business
- Relationship and family
- Financial
- Health and fitness
- Personal development
And although choosing a theme goal was a bit of a change from her usual goal setting tactics, Flatley said it’s paid off.
“It seemed to fit with more closely with where I am in my life,” said Flatley. “It was tough to change how I did my goal setting, however, I’m glad I did. So, I’d encourage individuals to review the ‘how’ of goal setting as we enter different life phases.”
How are your New Year’s resolutions going? Have you taken an alternative route, such as choosing a “word of the year” or “theme word?”
Rachel Zabonick is editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
