Stop Setting Goals:
It’s become joke in our culture that gyms are full on January 2nd, and empty by January 15th. Let’s call it “new years resolution-itis”.
We can see that “goals” often lead to failure and disappointment.
What’s the alternative to traditional goal-setting though?
James Clear, author of “Atomic Habits” outlines research on how people actually change and comes to some helpful conclusions:
1. Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.
2. If you want better results, then forget about setting goals. Focus on your system instead.
3. The most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on who you wish to become.
4. The Four Laws of Behavior Change are a simple set of rules we can use to build better habits. They are (1) make it obvious, (2) make it attractive, (3) make it easy, and (4) make it satisfying.
5. Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior.
He also posits that self-identity and beliefs are at the core of habit change.
This year, perhaps consider focusing on building habits, changing your identity, and growing in community rather than setting arbitrary goals.
Instead of “I’d like to lose 15 pounds”, what if you said “I’m going to fall back in love with riding my bike.” Or “I’m going to become the kind of person who loves hiking” or crossfit, or whatever healthy habit you want to insert here.
If we do, we may find ourselves actually attaining our goals and avoiding “new years resolution-itis”. And wouldn’t that be refreshing?
You know what’s crazy? We are what we love. And we can change what we love.
In what small way might you stop setting a goal, and instead start building a healthy habit?
Check out Atomic Habits here or if you aren’t in the habit of reading books here’s a short summary.
