Resolutions: 2015 Miles in 2015! Why Resolutions Fail and How to Overcome Roadblocks

Did you make a 2015 New Year resolution? It’s January 18^th. How are you doing? I often have been quoted to say that I wanted to open a gym on January 1^st then convert it to a bar on February 15^th. Ha ha ha.  Funny, but not so far off. Nearly 50% of Americans make resolutions, but only 8% reach their goals.

Why is that? Resolutions fail for a myriad of reasons, but truly it’s usually because of the resolution itself. This year I have resolved to run 2015 miles in 2015! I’m actually doing this with my amazing man, Art Atchison, as a team because it makes it more realistic for us to achieve. The goal keeps us motivated and focused on being consistent with our running; while not making it such an onerous task that we would get discouraged and quit if we are behind our goal.

Here are some of the roadblocks to keeping resolutions! And how we help you run right past them!

1.     Too Big, Too Fast.  Just like I mentioned that Art and I are working as a team on our 2015 miles, this highlights a common problem with resolutions. Most people set unrealistic goals that set you up for failure.  Go small, and then ante up once you hit your goal. Taking baby steps will help you ore likely get to the end-goal. Answer: Set small, realistic goals and it’s OK to set levels of achievement.

2.     Too Many Resolutions. Reaching any goal takes focus. If you have a bunch of focal points, your concentration is scattered and you will be all over the place. It’s better to set one or two big goals to reach over the course of the year. Another option is to make several small goals to be achieved one at a time. This year we are running 2015 miles and ramping up for a PR in the Ironman 70.3 distance. These goals work together!

3.     Quitting Altogether When Falling Down.  It is inevitable that you will slip a little along the way. Art will tell you I fall down (literally) all the time. Some times the pillow wins! It’s OK. To err is human. To be lazy is human! What’s important is to get back up and make a plan to get back on track to achieving your goals. Have a contingency plan for when you slip knowing ahead of time that reaching your goal will take focus and continued effort. Noting worth having comes easy!

4.     Resolutions That are Too Vague. It’s amazing how many people set resolutions to “get in shape”, “to run more”, “to get faster”, “to lose weight”, or “to be a better boss”. What the heck does that mean and how do you track it? Tracking your progress keeps you focused. You need to make SMART goals. S is specific. M is measurable. A is achievable. R is result focused. And T is time bound. It is important to be able to track your progress and be able to measure your success.

So again I ask, it’s January 18^th; how are you resolutions doing? It’s still early. Sit back and think about your goals, write them down and discuss them with the people closest to you. Most goals require teamwork and reinforcement from your close family and friends to be achieved. Have an accountability team. Track your progress!

Art and I are doing well, we have reached our first 100 miles; 1915 to go! The last 18 days have not been all roses. The pillow has won a few times, but I’ve made it up in the afternoon. Work and children often get in the way. I’m making all my excuses in my head, then dismissing them or finding a work around. We have calendar in our home that we track our progress. I have my friends and patients following me. My goal is very public, so I’m more likely to reach it!

Happy Running…..share your goals!