Resolutions or Goals?

By Jan Bowers, Naturopathic Practitioner

This article was first published in the January issue of Fusion

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Most people love a new year—between parties and time with family and friends, many of us find a few minutes to carve out resolutions, filled with the hope and optimism that a blank calendar supplies. I am no different, and year after year set aside an hour on New Year’s Eve to meditate, make peace with the passing year, and turn my eyes toward the upcoming one with pen in hand.

I make resolutions, but I also set year-long goals. I do this not out of some over-achieving perfectionist drive, but simply because the two are different. A resolution, according to Webster, is “the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones.” This means that we turn statements like “I want to be happier” into resolutions like “In 2009, I resolve to improve my relationships by spending more time with my family and pets,” or “In 2009, I resolve to acknowledge that my health is important by spending more time, energy, and money on myself.” Resolutions are generalized statements about how we would like to live our lives differently. They are rooted in the knowledge that to do such a thing requires flexibility and patience with the self. With resolutions, we aim to make life-altering progress and dedicate the year to taking as many steps as we can, but there is no clear point on the road that we label “success.”

A goal, however, is something Webster explains as “the terminal point of a race,” or “the end toward which all effort is directed.” Goals are specific, like “I will work to save $100 every month this year,” “I will work to lose 3% bodyfat and achieve a normal blood pressure reading by July,” or “I will earn all A’s this semester at college.” Goals are precise, with a specific timeline and tangible measure of success.

Keep these tips in mind to optimize success:

- Formulate goals that support resolutions. For instance, if you resolve to place more emphasis on your physical health, craft goals like exercising 3 times every week, or joining a yoga studio and attending one class every week.

- Make an investment – if every year you resolve to lose weight and have not met with success, this year schedule an appointment with a nutritionist, personal trainer, or other professional. In a declining economy it can be difficult to justify this kind of investment, but pursuing expert guidance greatly increases your chances of successfully meeting your goals. Making a monetary commitment to success also adds another layer of motivation to your drive to succeed.

- Push your limits! You are, after all, thinking about how you want to live an entire year. If you resolve to focus more on yourself and love to travel, set a goal of saving $1000, promise to spend it on a solo trip, and start surfing the web for your perfect destination.

Oftentimes, people avoid making resolutions or setting goals because they fear failure. To this fear, a gentle reminder is offered—resolutions are a journey, not a destination. Taking even one step down your desired path is a success. Therefore, failure is literally not an option! So take a deep breath, and put pen to paper. Resolve to begin 2009 by believing fully in your ability to meet those goals that you set for yourself.

Need support? The following is taken from a portion of Jan's 2009 resolutions and goals:

"1. Remember that my family is the most important part of my life, and budget my time, energy, and other resources accordingly.

2. Make my health a priority – get enough sleep; take all of my supplements; take time to relax every day; spend more time outside.

3. Play with Sadie and Grizzly (my two Rottweilers) outside every day.

4. Remember that our home is my sanctuary, and live accordingly – keep it clean, as organized as possible, and set up to be enjoyable; get rid of things that we don’t use.

5. Volunteer for something once a month – pet rescue; free client consultations; etc.

6. Center my life around my creative processes, and make them a priority in daily life."