As we step into the New Year, many of us are armed with New Year’s resolutions to improve our lives.
Just as Flourish + Live Well harnesses the power of science to provide high-quality CBD products designed to enhance your well-being, we encourage you to adopt a similarly scientific approach when setting and achieving your New Year’s resolutions.
Our commitment to research, precision, and innovation is reflected in every bottle of CBD oil we produce, ensuring that you receive the benefits you seek. In the same vein, we believe that setting resolutions should be more than wishful thinking; it should involve clear, evidence-based strategies that lead to real, measurable change.Â
1. Set Specific Goals: Begin with clarity and precision, much like how Flourish + Live Well meticulously selects and formulates CBD products to address specific wellness needs. Your resolutions should be as targeted and well-defined as the solutions we offer.
Approach vs. Avoidance Goals
In the world of wellness, we focus on enhancing health rather than merely avoiding illness. When framing your specific goals, it’s important to consider the psychological impact of how they are structured.
Research suggests that approach goals, which focus on adopting a new positive behavior, tend to be more effective than avoidance goals, which focus on stopping a negative behavior.
Avoidance goals often involve trying to stop or avoid a particular behavior, such as “stop eating sweets” or “watch less TV.” These types of goals can be problematic because they emphasize the behavior you’re trying to avoid, which can make it more salient and harder to resist. They can also create a negative mindset that may lead to a sense of deprivation or frustration.
In contrast, approach goals are framed positively and focus on adding new, desirable behaviors, such as “eating more vegetables” or “reading more books.” This positive framing helps create a sense of accomplishment and abundance, which can be more motivating. By focusing on what you will do, rather than what you won’t do, you’re also more likely to think about the new behavior and integrate it into your daily routine.
When setting your resolutions, try to convert any avoidance goals into approach goals. For instance, instead of “stop drinking soda,” an approach goal would be “drink a glass of water with each meal.” This subtle shift in framing can have a significant impact on your mindset and behavior.
2. Start Small: Break down your resolutions into smaller, manageable tasks that can be easily achieved. This helps build confidence and momentum.
3. Understand Your Motivations: Reflect on why you want to achieve these resolutions. Intrinsic motivation (doing something because it is inherently rewarding) is more effective than extrinsic motivation (doing something for external rewards).
4. Create a Plan: Design a plan of action that includes when, where, and how you will work on your goals. This is known as implementation intention and can significantly increase the likelihood of following through.
5. Track Progress: Keep a record of your progress. This can be done through journals, apps, or checklists. Tracking helps maintain motivation and provides a visual representation of your progress.
6. Be Flexible: Be ready to reassess and adjust your goals as needed. Life circumstances change, and your goals may need to adapt as well.
7. Manage Setbacks: Expect setbacks and plan for them. Learn from failures and see them as opportunities to grow rather than reasons to give up.
8. Seek Social Support: Share your goals with friends or family who can offer support and hold you accountable.
9. Use Positive Reinforcement: Reward yourself for making progress towards your goals. The rewards should be consistent with your resolutions to avoid conflicting outcomes.
10. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself when you slip up. Self-criticism can demotivate, while self-compassion can help you recover and get back on track.
11. Habit Formation: Try to incorporate your resolutions into daily routines. Habits are formed through repetition and can become automatic over time.
12. Cognitive Restructuring: Change the way you think about your resolutions. Instead of seeing them as chores, view them as opportunities for personal growth.
13. Mindfulness and Awareness: Be mindful of your actions and how they align with your goals. Increased awareness can help you make better choices in the moment.
14. Use Technology Wisely: There are numerous apps and tools designed to help with goal setting and habit formation. Use these to your advantage.
15. Review and Reflect: Regularly review your resolutions and the progress you’ve made. Reflect on what’s working and what’s not, and make adjustments accordingly.
By employing these strategies, you can increase your chances of setting meaningful, achievable, and sustainable resolutions.
Remember, the most scientific approach is one that is flexible and responsive to evidence, so be prepared to adapt your strategies as you learn what works best for you.