Aren't Resolutions and Goals the same? It’s the start of a new year, so naturally, everyone’s excited about the possibilities this fresh start will bring. And as with normal tradition, many are looking ahead and making decisions around how they want to shape their year, and examining changes to be made in their personal lives (i.e. physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, relationships, money, etc.), as well as potential changes needed professionally (i.e. new job, learning new skills, gaining a new degree or certificate, etc.).
Some refer to this process as making resolutions, while others view it as a time for goal setting. So, what’s the difference between the two? A lot. In fact, more than most people realize. While they are often used interchangeably, the fact is that these terms have some key and subtle differences.
Let’s take a look at some of the similarities and differences between goals and resolutions.
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Resolutions
Essentially, a resolution is a promise to yourself, and it's something that's usually more open-ended than a specific goal. Resolutions usually entail altering some aspect of your life, such as eating healthier, focusing on loved ones more, or managing your finances better.
Goals
A goal, on the other hand, is a target. It's the desired outcome that you create a plan to attain. Goals have a definite and precise endpoint and can be either short-term or long-term changes you want to make as it relates to your career, relationship, and/or personal life.
How They're Related
These two terms actually go hand-in-hand, and that's why they're so often referenced together.
A resolution is an overarching theme or the implied direction you wish to take with your life, while goals include the activities or the specific steps to take you to that place.
Using the most common New Year's resolution, losing weight or eating healthier, as an example, unless the resolution is accompanied by a set plan of actions, using the SMART Goal method, you may find it difficult to accomplish your wish of becoming healthier.
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And like most people, you've likely experienced setting a resolution, only to have it fall flat and be left behind within a month or two. This is why taking the extra step to set clear goals and track them on a regular basis, keeps them at the forefront of your mind, making those resolutions more likely to become a reality.
Still, need convincing on why it’s better to focus on goal-setting versus making resolutions?
Let’s examine the specifics of goal-setting and the impact that creating intentional objectives can have on your life.
- You Avoid Getting Stuck
Without setting concrete and specific goals, it's simply too easy to fall into the never-ending cycle of complacency. You know the one I'm talking about. It's that awful feeling of being stuck in a cycle of going nowhere or living your life on auto-pilot. Setting goals and checking in on your progress allows you to visualize the outcome you wish to achieve. It gives you focus and gives you a boost of confidence, knowing you have some control over your life.
2. You Minimize The Overwhelm
Sometimes the things we want for ourselves seem simply too massive to tackle. Setting goals can help you break these giant dreams into smaller, more manageable portions that allow you to track your progress and actually see results as they happen.
3. You Keep Yourself Accountable
Let’s face it, it's easy to ignore the promises we make to ourselves. This is why it's also important to share your goals and dreams with those close to you for added accountability and to keep you motivated to make those dreams a reality.
4. You Get To Live The Life You Want
Finally, goals allow us to focus on what we really want to accomplish. They help to give us purpose and serve as a roadmap to guide us in creating the life we really want for ourselves and those around us. You get to be intentional and proactive in your forward movement towards purpose, rather than succumbing to what life throws at you.
These are just a few examples of the importance of setting goals, but I hope they're enough to get you thinking about ways to ensure success in achieving all the things you want for yourself this year.
Take the first step and start working on your goals for 2021!
