July 1 marked the halfway point of 2018. That’s right, we’re now in the second part of the year! That makes this the perfect month to circle back on your New Year’s resolutions and personal goals. We invited Taylor Yoder, BS, MHA, CWHC, supervisor, Parkview Center for Healthy Living, to offer some motivation for those who are still on course, as well as those who might need a little reset.
What are the best questions to ask yourself halfway through the year in regard to goals?
Relate your goals back to your “why.” Ask yourself why you began these goals in the first place. What benefits will you see from making changes?
Why is it important not to be too hard on yourself?
It’s important to remember that lifestyle change is a marathon not a sprint. There will be a lot of trial and correction. There is no quick fix when making lifestyle change.
What advice would you give to those who have gone off track from their goals?
You need to turn your intention into implementation. You can accomplish what you want when you:
1. You are SMART about your goals
- Specific
- Measureable
- Action based
- Realistic
- Timely
2. Discover your “why”
3. Accept it is not a quick fix, but as a lifestyle change
4. Cultivate mindfulness
What advice would you give to those who are on track?
If you are doing well, you will want to sustain this positive change. To do this, you will want to continue to build your wellness foundation. Think about and design an environment that supports your best self, use positive self-talk and set clear boundaries that allow you to support your highest priorities. To help prevent relapse from your goals, be sure to continue to challenge yourself. Your life is constantly evolving and changing, and so should your goals.
If people are feeling frustrated with their progress how can they overcome a plateau?
Make sure you are continuing to create long term (3 month) and short term (weekly) goals. Ask yourself what you want to be doing three months from now. Be very specific with your weekly goals. Make sure you think about the preparation work for these weekly goals and what barriers you might face. Then, be sure to come up with strategies to overcome the barriers you might face.
If you are looking for some accountability on your goals or if you are having trouble reaching your goals, we are happy to help! Call the Parkview Center for Healthy Living location nearest you for details about goal-setting workshops, the My Best Health program and more!
