Ushering in a new year creates an atmosphere of endless possibility. We make lists of New Year’s Resolutions to diet, exercise, get organized, save more, spend less, and to become better than we were the year before. Hope fills the air. This is the year that those resolutions WILL be met…
Then, quite often, one by one, those hopes and dreams fall by the wayside. We fall back into our old patterns of behavior. We lose motivation. We stop making our resolutions a priority. The question is “why?”
I think the answer is that we confuse our potential for improvement for a drive for perfection. Let’s face it. Every single day we are bombarded with the ideal of perfection. We look at everyone else’s “perfect” lives on social media and in advertising. We start doubting ourselves. “I’ll never be that perfect mom who does it all and never complains.” “I’ll never be that fit and skinny.” “My home will never be that beautifully decorated.” How many times have we compared ourselves to others? I know I’m guilty of it.
Now ask yourself how helpful it is to try to keep up with the Jones’ or the perception of the Jones’. We want to have the perfect life, marriage, family, home, finances, etc. What does it mean to be perfect? Being perfect is impossible and trying to attain perfection leaves us coming up short, which zaps our motivation to move forward toward improvement. We aren’t meant to be perfect; we are meant to live up to our potential. Reflect on this quote:
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
We are all full of potential, but creating real and lasting improvements involves effort and determination on our part. That means setting attainable and realistic goals. I will spend 10 minutes a day addressing kitchen clutter; not my kitchen will be spotless at all times. I will plan 4-5 meals a week instead of swinging through a drive through or ordering pizza at the last minute; not planning on cooking through Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” cookbook. I will donate clothing I haven’t worn in over a year; not undertaking a Pinterest-inspired closet remodel that could deplete our personal savings and kids’ college fund. I will build up my stamina and run a 5K race; not going out and trying to run a half marathon without proper training. Trying to completely overhaul our lives never works.
How do we decide who we want to be? First, we need to realize and accept that we are not perfect and will never be perfect. Second, we need to look deep within ourselves and think about our potential and areas we can improve. Third, we need to set realistic goals and hold ourselves accountable.
The best method I have used for achieving goals is by using the SMART Method. SMART Goals are:
- Specific – Ask yourself: Who is involved? What do I hope to accomplish? Where will it take place? Why am I doing this? What exactly do I need to do?
- Measurable – Determine what steps need to be taken to achieve your goal and how to track your progress.
- Attainable – Make sure the goal is realistic
- Relevant – Ask yourself if the goal fits your needs and your lifestyle.
- Timely – Set a deadline for the goal to be complete.
By creating Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely goals, we greatly increase our chances of success. Keep your goals written in a place that you can easily see them, like a journal, notes on a cell phone, a vision board on the wall, whatever works.
Let’s go forward and make this the year we finally stick to our resolutions! Be SMART in 2018. Melissa and Nora at CreativeContessaDesigns.com will help you along the way with organizational tips and DIY projects to save you time and money.
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