Dave Cheong

In general, I find people tend to welcome the new year with new year’s resolutions. Be a better person. Lose 20kgs. Live a healthier lifestyle. Stop smoking.

Does this sound like you?

Firstly, I think it’s strange that people make resolutions only around the start of the new year. Let’s stop and think about this for a second. If you’re really serious about improving your present condition, why wait for an arbitrary time to do so? Why not start now? Yes, I applaud your intentions. But make a difference now. You have to seriously ask yourself if you’re committed to your desires, if you have to wait (procrastinate) before actually taking action, and sacrificing time and energy towards your goals.

You know it’s true don’t you? To be honest, I’m guilty of that myself. I’ve set myself lofty goals this year including kick starting my new GTD internet venture, writing more frequently on this blog as well as being a good husband and dad. Conveniently, I’ve set these goals as new year’s resolutions. However, they didn’t have to be. I could have started last year, when I formulated these goals and made the “commitment”.

Secondly, it is really important to be realistic when making new year’s resolutions and goal setting in general. Being Realistic is the umbrella element in the 10 R’s to Success as I’ve previously written about.

Let’s explore why that is.

I think it’s a good thing to have intentions to improve one’s life, but be careful not to set yourself unrealistic goals that can lead to failure and disappointment. Let’s quit smoking. Let’s lose 20kgs. These aren’t easy! Losing this much weight in a healthy manner takes lots of hard work, exercise and eating well. While not a smoker myself, I know people who are and am familiar with their struggle to quit.

It’s just not that easy!

New year’s resolutions are notorious for being unrealistic. A new year always come with an expectation that things will get better. Somehow, the slate feels clean each new year and we expect ourselves to become almost superhuman. All our obstacles will crumble before us. All our desires will be fulfilled. I’ve been an advocate of positive thinking before, but let’s be realistic. Unless you elevate your game to the next level, things won’t change significantly.

Ok, you might reduce your daily cigarette intake. Or, you might actually make it to the gym for a couple of weeks. However, let’s face it. It is unlikely you’ll lose 20kgs or stop smoking entirely. That is, unless you elevated your game and truly committed yourself.

Which brings me to my point. Set goals which are realistic. Our ego and psyche are fragile enough. They don’t need to take additional beating by setting ourselves goals which ultimately fail and lead to disappointment. Instead of saying, I’ll lose 20kgs or quit smoking, just start small and go from there. How about, going to the gym twice a week for 2 hour sessions. Or, reduce my daily cigarette intake to 3 a day. Once you achieve these smaller goals and do so on a consistent basis, then press on the pedal. Exercise three times a week. Reduce daily cigarette intake to 2 a day.

Don’t set yourself goals which are unattainable. Build upon each success. Start small and use each little win to boost your confidence and allow you to reach bigger and more ambitious goals. You do know about good goal setting don’t you?

A friend once told me the best time to join a gym is in February. It’s when the punters from new year’s resolutions all drop off. So, perhaps now is a good time to assess the goals you made earlier in the year. Are they achievable? If not, can you set yourself smaller milestones and aim for these first?

As always, I wish you all the best. I too am breaking my goals down into sub-goals and facing each one at a time. Good luck!

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