The Better Swindon team at the town's Link Centre have put together some tips on mindful goal setting.
A spokesperson said: "As we welcome in a new year many of us will be thinking about what we might like to achieve and setting ourselves some goals.
"It’s an all-too-familiar scene particularly around our health, wellbeing and fitness but for some reason these can be long forgotten and given up on by the time we reach February.
The tips, intended to help people set goals which are achievable and satisfying, are:
1. Make them exciting and of real value to you.
Every single goal will involve elements of sacrifice. Acknowledge that and consider what those sacrifices are likely to be. The value of the result of the goal needs to be bigger than the sacrifice. For example, just aiming to lose weight will soon fade out with January, however wanting to get fitter to keep up with your kids has a much greater incentive.
2. SMART goals
A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed up by consistent action makes your dreams come true.
- Specific – Be very clear what the goal is.
- Measurable – Track your success and steps forward?
- Achievable – Set yourself up for success by being honest about the time and resources you can dedicate to your goal.
- Realistic – If you set goals that are unrealistic then mentally you will feel like you’re failing despite the fact that you are making progress.
Under-promise and over-deliver, committing to hitting the gym twice and finding the time to squeeze in an extra session will have you feeling like you’ve smashed your week and motivate you for the next.
3. Write them down and pin them up where you’ll see them.
Pinning them up by your bathroom mirror will help you set your intention every morning while you brush your teeth and keep your goal fresh in your mind.
4. Recruit help and mix things up.
Letting the people around you know what your goal, and possibly working together with a friend or colleague with a similar goal always helps. Keep things interesting in working towards your goal will stop it feeling so much of a chore, for example set out to try a new fitness class each week.
Be excited by your goals, be creative in your approach, and be kind to yourself.
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