Realistic Resolutions: Chart a Path to the Growth You Want
This time of year, people tend to focus on making resolutions and setting goals for themselves. Unfortunately, that tends to create a lot of pressure and unrealistic expectations. There’s a reason why such a large percentage of New Year’s resolutions fail within the first few weeks.While there’s nothing wrong with setting goals, they don’t necessarily need to be related to a new year. You can adopt a fresh start any time, and there’s far less pressure attached.When you make a New Year’s resolution, you might feel guilty or down on yourself if you aren’t able to stick with it. Unfortunately, that can create a negative cycle, and even do damage to your self-esteem and motivation.So, this year, why not focus on starting new goals at any time and celebrating the progress along the way, not just the conclusion.Not sure how to accomplish that? Let’s talk more about charting a guiltless path to the growth you want.
Setting Realistic Expectations
One of the biggest problems with New Year’s resolutions is that they’re often unrealistic. When you’re making them, it’s easy to think about huge, lofty goals. After all, you have the whole year ahead of you, right?Unfortunately, those big, lofty goals can become overwhelming very quickly.When your expectations are too high, you’re less likely to stick with things. While making big goals isn’t a bad thing, you have to set realistic expectations on how you’ll reach those goals.It won’t happen overnight.Instead, consider charting a path. Create smaller goals for yourself on your way to the bigger ones. They will be less intimidating and overwhelming, and you’ll be more motivated to keep going when you accomplish small milestones.There are several ways to avoid this illness Joint generic cialis https://pdxcommercial.com/property/415-center-street-oregon-city-oregon-97045/ Pain, affecting one or more joints is a main symptom shown as a result of arthritis.
Celebrate the Wins
A big part of continuing with your goals is celebrating those milestones. Be kind to yourself as you travel your path and make forward progress. If you accomplish something, reward yourself however you see fit.It’s also important to reflect on your values as you work on your goals. They can be another motivational tool, and knowing you’re sticking with those values will also make it easier to celebrate when you accomplish something without compromising your values.
Avoid the Shame Spiral
While setting goals away from New Year’s holidays can already take a huge weight off of your shoulders, it’s still important to avoid the shame spiral that often comes with setting unrealistic goals.Even if your goals are manageable and your expectations are reasonable, it’s okay to stumble. It’s okay to have setbacks and not meet every goal the way you thought you would. Judging yourself when those goals aren’t met will make it easier for you to quit.By practicing self-compassion, you’ll be more likely to keep moving ahead. Remind yourself that setbacks aren’t failures. Some of the most successful people in the world experienced multiple “failures” in life as they worked toward their goals. That includes famous names like Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, and Oprah Winfrey. If they gave up on their goals and resolutions every time they failed, a lot of amazing things about our world today would be very different.You might not think your goals can change the world, but they can certainly change your life if you stick with them.So, this year, take some of the pressure off yourself. Don’t wait until the new year to set healthy, manageable goals. You’ve got plenty of time to chart your path, set smaller goals along the way, and decide how you want to celebrate when you reach each milestone. Remind yourself of why you want to accomplish those goals so badly, and consider individual therapy. Together, you and your therapist can help you develop the focus and the tools to get you through every step of your journey.As we move into 2022, the team at Chanderbhan Psychological Services sends you wishes for a prosperous and healthy New Year!
About: Chanderbhan Psychological Services is a therapy practice located in Laredo, Texas. We help individuals and couples who are struggling in different areas of their lives gain the clarity they need to grow and change. We also offer video counseling services to individuals located in the wider State of Texas. To read blogs on mental health and relationships, visit our website.