This Year’s Resolutions: 365 Days to a Better You! (Part Three)

In Part One of this series, we discussed the importance of setting realistic and attainable goals. Then, in Part Two of this series, we discussed planning your goals and rewards. Now, let’s talk about the last phase for reinventing yourself…

Phase 3: Keeping Track of Your Progress

To make sure that you achieve these goals, print out a few copies of your goals and rewards chart. Put a copy on your fridge, office desk, next to your bed – anywhere you will see it often. The list will reinforce each task throughout the day and remind you of the rewards that are coming when you follow through. This will also allow others to see your plan so they can encourage you also help hold you accountable to your goals.

Getting your friends and family involved is a great way to make sure you keep up with your goal in the long haul. Telling your loved ones of your goal, or if you are socially inclined, sharing it with your Facebook friends, will allow them to support you and keep you on track. Not only will they provide gentle reminders when you aren’t following your plan, but you will be inspired to show them that you can achieve your goal and not let them down. Making the reward for achieving your ultimate goal something that all of your friends and family can enjoy is also a great idea! This could be something like having a party or going on a family vacation. This rewards your friends and family for encouraging and motivating you toward achieving your goal, and we all like rewards.

Making a schedule and logging your progress have also been very helpful to many people. At the beginning of the week, figure out when you will have free time to take part in the activities needed for working toward your goal. If your goal is a healthy diet, plan what types of food you will eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the week. This will also help you make a healthy grocery list. Then, on your schedule, leave room to write down everything you do associated with your goal each day. You will be more likely to do things that will benefit reaching your goal rather than things that will be detrimental. For example, if you goal is weight loss, you can plan what you will generally eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and then leave room to write exactly what you do eat below. If you are going to exercise Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, put the amount of time down and the type of exercise on your schedule, and leave a box to check off once you complete it. There are many applications, such as My Fitness Pal and Map My Run, which can also help you easily log this information throughout the day. This schedule/log will allow you to look back and see the progress you have made. It can also serve as a check to make sure that you are sticking to your plan, and if you are not, to help the select changes most likely to refocus your efforts in a positive direction.

Achieving your goals can be wonderful and life changing, but it can also be discouraging if you do not go about it the right way. Setting goals that are right for you and making a plan that you can reasonably follow are the first steps, and staying on track using the advice in this article can help you achieve your goals for reinventing yourself. Just imagine where you could be at this time next year!