Day 21 is about how resolutions change over time and it is perfectly fine that they do.
You have probably heard all your life that you should never give up. You’ve listened to parents, teachers, and coaches throughout the years as they have encouraged you not to quit and to go after what you want until you get it. While it is good to be persistent and reaching a goal takes follow-through, this all or nothing type of advice can have its pitfalls. Sometimes our goals no longer suit us for various reasons, and continuing to pursue them can have lots of negative results. Read on to discover why it is okay that your resolutions change over time and how to handle it when they do.
Be Flexible
First, it’s important to go into setting resolutions with a flexible mindset. Know that there is a chance you may find the thing you resolve to do now may not be the best thing for you three months from now. Our lives and our needs evolve. So should our resolutions. Sometimes we may even choose the wrong goal. This could happen due to peer pressure, misaligned expectations or simply due to poor timing. Knowing that goals are not set in stone will allow you to revise them as needed to serve you more effectively.
Review and Assess
Next, remember to review your resolution regularly, especially if something does not feel right. We all hit rough spots while pursuing a goal. It can be hard to overcome a plateau or to motivate ourselves to move past the challenging parts. However, if a pursuit starts to feel like it does not fit your lifestyle or interests, perhaps it is not the right place to focus your attention. Take time to assess your objectives if something feels off. It is also wise to schedule periodic check-ins on a regular basis to be sure you are on track and to look at whether certain tweaks can be made to help make your journey an even more productive one.
Make Some Revisions
These tweaks can make a huge difference in your level of satisfaction. Perhaps your goal is to write a book. Maybe you have established a realistic timeline for completing each step. That is a great start. It is possible, however, to discover that you are actually ahead of your game or going off course when you sit down to assess your progress. If you find yourself way ahead, this may mean you can add some extra steps to make your book even better, such as a trip to a historical registry to uncover some unique tidbits pertinent to your storyline.
If you find you have veered off track, now is the time to brainstorm ways to bring your goal back on course so that you can maintain your productivity and motivation. You may even find that you want to revise that goal a bit or change it completely. Maybe you realize at your assessment point that you are really not passionate about your subject matter at all anymore. It might not make sense to pour your energy and resources into something your heart is no longer feeling. Perhaps it is time to choose another book topic or to let that idea simmer for a while.
There is no harm in admitting that a resolution is no longer serving you, as long as you are being honest with yourself. Giving up simply because it is the path of least resistance is rarely the answer. After some soul searching, it is possible you will come to know that allowing your resolution to change might be your best solution.
Why Do We Make Resolutions – Day 1
The Importance of Setting Goals – Day 2
Value of a Support System – Day 3
Motivation is Key to Progress – Day 4
Measure Your Progress – Day 5
How to Make Resolutions Stick – Day 6
Are You Making Smart Goals – Day 7
How Habits and Routines Can Help You Stick to Your Resolutions – Day 8
Don’t Go It Alone – The Value of a Support System – Day 9
Motivation Is Key – Keeping Your “Why” Front and Center – Day 10
The Value of Measuring Your Progress Along the Way – Day 11
A Journal Can Be a Powerful Tool for Goals and Resolutions – Day 12
Success Tip – Don’t Try to Change Too Much at Once – Day 13
Kick Overwhelm to the Curb by Breaking It Down into Baby Steps – Day 14
Break It Down – From Resolution to Daily Task – Day 15
Stay Motivated by Looking at How Far You’ve Come – Day 16
Celebrate Milestones, Successes & Accomplishments – Day 17
The Power of Cheerleaders, Coaches, and Cohorts – Day 18
Get Back on That Horse When You Fall Off the Wagon – Day 19
Visualization Exercises Can Help You Reach Your Goals – Day 20