How to Make New Year’s Resolutions

When setting New Year’s resolutions – always set SMART goals.

This acronym stands for:

SPECIFIC:          There should be no room for misinterpretation.

MEASURABLE:    Plan how to track your results objectively.

ACHIEVABLE:     Set realistic New Year’s resolutions.

RELEVANT:         Ensure your goal aligns with who you want to be.

TIME-BOUND:    Set deadlines for each part of the process needed to

                            achieve your goal. 

For example, as a Norcross Garden Club member here’s a goal for you:

GOAL: I will expand my knowledge of plants in my garden.

Specific: I will make a list of at least five perennials in my garden or other perennials of interest. I will note their current growing conditions, i.e. full shade, hot afternoon sun, low damp area, slope, etc.

Measurable: I will learn the common and scientific name and how to pronounce plus their preferred growing conditions. Why do I like them, i.e. winter interest, early blooming, tough as nails, a great screen, ideal in containers, blocks out weeds, etc.

Achievable: I will write 4 or 5 attributes, positive or negative, about each plant. I’ll explore online sources or garden magazines, i.e. Plant ID apps, Georgia Gardening, Walter Reeves site, UGA publications, etc.

Relevance: Why did I join the garden club? #1 & #2 reasons, “I want to learn about plants and to have fun sharing with others.”

Timeline: By April 16^th, the NGC Plant Sale, I’ll be able to tell an inquiring customer why they should buy or not buy, a plant at the sale.

IF you’re going to achieve your New Year’s goal, you must believe it’s possible. Use words like “I will” instead of “I plan” or “I hope.” As the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt said,

“Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.”

Lastly, focus on quality, not quantity. You may feel full of enthusiasm and want to make a bunch of New Year’s goals. Don’t. If you try to get fit, eat healthier, earn more money, develop your relationships, and start meditating at the same time, you’re likely setting yourself up for failure. As the Russian proverb goes, 

             “If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.”                                                

So, set no more than three New Year’s resolutions. Or better yet, set just one – then, once you’ve mastered it, you can start another one later in the year.                                Oberlo.com