January 1st - the beginning of new year.  For many of us, the idea of a new year has an important symbolic meaning: a fresh start; a clean slate; an opportunity to re-create ourselves.  We envision the changes we want to see in our lives, and resolve to put them into action.  All too often, however, we don't follow through with our resolutions.  We start out strong, but after a while - for some it's weeks; for others, it may be months - we find ourselves slipping back into old habits.  We stop going to the gym.  We give up on trying to eat healthily.  We get distracted by daily life, and never get around to taking that class, or writing that blog, or completing that home improvement project. 

"I had such good intentions," we think.  "What happened?"

What happened was most likely one of two things.  One possibility is that the goal that we set for ourselves wasn't realistic, or sustainable - like quitting smoking cold turkey, without a plan to avoid triggers or deal with cravings.  Another possibility is that our goal was too vague.  Statements like "I'm going to eat better" or "I'm going to get in shape" or "I'm going to be more mindful" are fine in theory, but don't translate well into action.  There is no clarity about what, exactly, the goal is, or how we plan to get there. 

In order to achieve any goal, you have to have a plan.  If you have a change that you want to make in your life this year, try following the SMART model of goal-setting.  Use the acronym SMART to make sure that your resolution is:

S - Specific.  What, exactly, do you want to accomplish?  Be as detailed as possible: "I want to have my new website up and running by March 1st." 

M - Measurable.  What indicators will show you when you've reached your goal?  Something like, "I want to be able to run five miles in less than three hours, without passing out, throwing up, or keeling over."  Or maybe, "I want to increase my clientele by 10%."

A - Attainable.  Is your goal possible?  That doesn't mean that it should be easy, or that it can't be something that's never been done, but your goal needs to be something that is within the realm of the physically achievable.  Inner peace is something to strive for, but thinking you can stay forever in a state of zen, regardless of what's going on around you, is just silly. Dream big, but make sure you're not envisioning a fantasy.

R - Realistic.  Your goal needs to be more than just possible; it needs to be possible FOR YOU.  It is possible to eat a strictly vegan diet and stay healthy, but it takes time, energy and vigilance, not to mention a significant amount of self-education.  If you're not willing or able to learn about nutrition, shop carefully, plan balanced menus and spend a lot of time in the kitchen, maybe being a vegan isn't for you.

T - Time-bound.  When do you want to accomplish your goal?  Not just a general time period, like "within the next four months"; pick a specific date by which you want to have accomplished your goal.  

As you work toward your goals, keep in mind that growth is a process, and that change doesn't happen overnight.  If you reach your target date and haven't yet successfully completed your goal, don't give up.  Instead, honestly evaluate what prevented you from achieving your goal.  Maybe the goal was something beyond your current skill level, and there are other steps you need to take first.  Or maybe you miscalculated the time it would take you to accomplish your plan.  Once you've figured out what was interfering with your success, you can strategize about how to overcome those obstacles; incorporate that information into your new SMART goals.  January 1st isn't the only day of the year to start making changes; every day is an opportunity for a new beginning.