Happy New Year All! It’s a new decade filled with hope, prosperity and success! But let’s get real; my New Year Resolutions never work past the first few weeks (if that!). One year, I made a resolution to go to the gym 4 times a week. The first week was great. I actually got to the gym 5 times in the first week. By February, I pretty much forgot all about my resolution to go to the gym. How about that year I made a resolution to save money by packing lunch to work every day. Yeah, that one lasted a whopping 3 days! So I get discouraged in myself. I feel like a failure and then I wait until the next New Year to try again with something new. It sounds like a silly cycle, doesn’t it? Well, here’s the thing, my inability to follow through with my New Year Resolutions really has nothing to do with me, my discipline and my motivation. It’s science. I’m not using the correct scientific method for setting my resolution goals.

Ever hear the quote, “Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”? It sounds nice, right? Well I have a real problem with this quote. Because to tell you the truth, if I shoot for the moon and only reach a star, I’m going to feel like I failed. I’m going to judge myself for not meeting my goal and the cycle of negative self-talk and depression sets back in. So here’s how the scientific method of setting goals comes into play. It is called setting a SMART goal. Specific. Measureable. Achievable. Relevant. Timely. Check out the Emotional Wellness tab for more about setting SMART goals.

So do yourself a favor this New Year and be mindful in setting a SMART New Year Resolution. Practice self-compassion and be kind to yourself through this process. “Shoot for the stars, even if you miss, you’ll still land among the stars.” Happy New Year All!