'It is important to set goals and expectations for the new year' Fatimah, a lady in her mid-thirties, said. She sat down on the three-seater sofa facing the television. She was dressed in a long skirt and flowery blouse with scarf wrapped around her head that formed a knot at the nape of her neck. The color of the scarf matched that of her blouse. She exuded class and wealth.
'Well, I don't exactly see the importance of setting new year resolutions when people abandon it halfway into the year. What am I even saying? Some people abandon it as soon as January ends. All this 'new year, new me' is initial shenanigans Zainab scoffed. She sat beside Fatimah on the three-seater sofa. She wore a boubou gown that had stones plastered all over it. Her head was covered with a black cap and her neck was draped with a scarf. They were at their friend's house for the new year celebration.
'I agree with Fatimah. You know it is actually important to set goals and have expectations for the new year because it guides your year and helps you know what to do at every point in time' Khadijat replied. She came out of the kitchen carrying a tray containing a plate of chinchin and two empty glass cups on one hand and another tray containing a pack of juice and a plate containing peppered ponmos on the other hand. She wore a plain t-shirt on a loose Jean trouser. A bit of her hair showed under the hijab that covered her head. Her left ankle was adorned with an anklet that sparkled in the glowing light.
Zainab stood up and collected one of the trays from her 'Guys, I'm not saying it's not a good thing to set new year goals and resolutions and all that. All I am saying is that if they are not sustained, then of what use is setting them every year. It's a total waste of time!' She said as she dropped the tray on the center table. She picked a peppered ponmo with the toothpick and threw it into her mouth. Khadijat eyed her and she smiled mischievously with her hands raised up.
'Babes, you don't get it. Nobody is talking about not seeing it through. We are just talking about the importance of having new year resolutions. Besides, there are strategies and structures that can be put in place to help an individual stay committed to their goals. It requires discipline, commitment and determination, abi Khadijat' Fatimah said while looking at Khadijat who was pouring the juice into the glass cups for support.
Khadijat handed a cup to each of them and placed the plate of chin chin and peppered ponmo on a stool in front of them. 'Yes, you are right, Fatimah' She plopped onto the one-seater that faced the entrance of the sitting room. 'In fact, there are various tips on the internet that can help one stay committed to those goals and resolutions. I was scrolling through the internet yesterday when I stumbled upon a blog that has an article on tips to adhere to one's new year's resolutions. It was an enlightening read. I had to go through the other contents on that blog and girls, I must tell you that it's an educating blog' She finished.
'Wow, please send the link to me and let me go through it. I need all the tips I can get to stick and stay committed to these goals I have set for myself' Fatimah replied.
'Please send it to me too. Or better still, you can just forward it to our WhatsApp page' Zainab added.
Fatimah smiled and said, 'I thought you are not so Keen on having new year resolutions, what changed?'
Let me be, Zainab replied and checked the time on the wall clock 'It is five minutes past 4pm, I need to be on my way home. My husband and children would have been expecting me' She stood up and hugged her friends 'Bye, babes, see you later.'
Fatimah also stood up 'I also need to go now' She turned to Khadijat 'Dont forget to send that link tonight.
'I won't. Thank you, guys, for coming'. Khadijat replied.
It is that time of the year when people set goals and map out their expectations for the new year in a bid to become a better version of themselves. Unfortunately, studies reveal that around 80% of people abandon their resolutions by mid-February. While it is good to set new year resolutions, it is important to set realistic and achievable goals. So many factors may hinder the implementation of these goals during the course of the year. Are you scared that you won't adhere to your new year resolutions? Do not worry, the following tips will help you stick to your resolutions regardless of the obstacles you may face.
1. Your goals must be SMART: Your goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound (SMART). Oftentimes, people set vague and overwhelming resolutions, such as "lose weight". For instance, an individual who wants to lose weight would set a SMART goal and this could take the following form: 'I want to lose 30kg within four months'. This goal is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. It is not vague.
2. Create a plan: Develop a detailed action plan that outlines the steps you need to take to achieve your resolutions. Break down your goals into smaller, achievable milestones. For example, if your goal is to lose 30kg within four months, you need to break it down: lose at least 7.5kg every month and then create a detailed plan to achieve this. The plans may include going to the gym every weekend, not skipping breakfast etc.
3. Take it one resolution at a time: While it might be tempting to set multiple resolutions, it's advisable to focus on one major goal at a time. Shifting your attention between various objectives can quickly become overwhelming and increase the likelihood of abandoning all resolutions. Prioritize your goals and once you have successfully established a routine, move on to the next.
4. Be accountable: Share your resolutions with your friends, family, or even an online community. By making your goals public, you will hold yourself accountable for your actions. Additionally, consider finding an accountability partner. Having someone who shares similar aspirations can provide motivation and support throughout the journey. For instance, an individual who wants to lose weight can find a community of like-minded people and be accountable to that community. This helps to keep you on track.
5. Track your progress: Keep a record of your progress by maintaining a daily or weekly journal. Write down your successes, challenges, and any lessons learned. Tracking your progress not only helps you celebrate achievements but also enables you to reflect on areas that need improvement.
6. Celebrate milestones: Achieving your goal is a journey and there are milestones on the course of that journey. For every milestone you achieve, celebrate yourself. It keeps you motivated and encourages you to achieve the next milestone. For instance, if you achieved your goal of losing 7.5kg in a month, celebrate yourself by buying yourself a small gift or doing what you love doing most.
7. Be prepared for setbacks: The journey towards achieving any goal has its own challenges. There are days you will feel distracted, lazy and unmotivated to continue. Prepare yourself for days like this and plan ahead by setting goals on ways to overcome these distractions. If you stumble or have a temporary setback, remind yourself of the long-term benefits of sticking to your resolutions. Focus on picking yourself up and continue moving forward.
8. Be flexible: Sometimes, circumstances change, and you may need to modify your resolutions. Be open to adjusting your goals if necessary but avoid completely giving up on them. Do not be rigid. Adapt your approach or redefine your goals to align with the new circumstances. Flexibility is key to long-term success.
9. Keep the momentum going: It's easy to feel motivated at the beginning of the year, but maintaining that motivation requires consistent effort. Seek inspiration through motivational books, podcasts, or surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals. Visualize your end goal regularly to stay motivated and remind yourself why you committed to these resolutions in the first place.
10. Practice self-compassion: Remember, resolutions are meant to improve your life, not to make you feel guilty or overwhelmed. If you falter or miss a day, be kind to yourself. Learn from your mistakes, forgive yourself, and get back on track. Replace self-criticism with self-compassion, as it is a powerful tool to sustain your progress.
As the new year unfolds, don't let your resolutions become forgotten dreams. By setting realistic goals, planning your actions, and nurturing motivation, you can turn your resolutions into lasting achievements. Happy new year!!! Cheers to a successful and fulfilling year ahead!
NB: We are bio individuals which is to say not all size fits all. prioritizing yourself and your journey with the support and guidance of a health coach will further help in your progress and such a person would be able to get detailed information about themselves that could facilitate results.
