Monthly Highlight: Setting Healthy Goals
For many of us, goals are easily made and easily broken. Whether it's to lose weight, save money or adopt a healthier lifestyle, goals can be hard to keep. But working toward these and other goals can improve your life. Setting realistic, healthy goals year-round - and not just at New Year's - can lead to a healthier lifestyle, improved self-esteem and increased confidence. The start of a new year doesn't have to be the only time you decide to accomplish a goal. Having clear goals and something to aim for can help you lead a healthier life year-round.
The following tips can help you and other family members successfully set and achieve your goals:
S
Be specific.
When thinking about your goal, be as exact as possible. People who set specific goals are more likely to succeed. For example, instead of saying that you want to save money, set a specific goal to save $20 (or whatever your goal amout is) per week.
Put it in writing.
Write down exactly what you want to achieve and post it in a place where you will see it every day. This will help remind you what you're working toward. When you write, use positive terms. For example, instead of writing,"I will stop eating junk food," reword your goal in more positive terms: "I will make healthy food choices."
Set realistic goals.
When you think about setting goals, make sure that they are within your reach. Be mindful of your finances, schedule and other personal affairs. Many people forget to think about these important factors and, as a result, they set unrealistic goals for themselves.
Develop an action plan.
Create a timeline with steps toward your goal. Set deadlines for each step and cross them off as you go. Sometimes just crossing things off and watching your list get smaller can give you a sense of accomplishment and help you to keep going.
Believe in yourself.
Stay positive about your progress. Share your goal with a friend and ask him/her to help keep your spirits up.
Be flexible.
Keep in mind that setbacks can happen. Don't get discouraged and give up. Your hard work will pay off!
Reward yourself.
Acknowledge your achievements, even the small ones. Reaching a goal takes hard work, and you should be proud of your efforts.
If you would like to read more about setting healthy goals, please contact us and we will send you a copy of the complete brochure.
The above information is taken from a brochure entitled “Setting Healthy Goals” which is distributed by Performance Resource Press, Inc. and is available through the Employee Assistance Office. View a complete list of our brochures.