The same goes for New Year’s resolutions. When you set unattainable goals, they won’t be sustainable. Instead of setting goals like “workout five times a week” when you haven’t exercised in months, consider starting with a workout twice a week. After you’ve conquered the goal for several weeks, you can move the goalpost, making it a little more challenging.
It’s also common that people dive headfirst into goal setting, which results in a lengthy list of things you can and cannot do. This can feel restrictive and overwhelming, so it’s best to focus on one tangible goal at a time. Once you’ve conquered the goal, moving on to another is perfectly acceptable.
Another important aspect of goal setting is making one that is measurable. For example, if you want to get stronger, there isn’t a clear way of measuring this, so you won’t know when you’ve succeeded. Set specific goals like “be able to do 30 consecutive push-ups” or “run one mile without stopping.”
Being flexible with your goals is also crucial. After working toward the goal for a while and it seems too difficult or even too easy, you’re allowed to modify it. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with moving the goalpost once you’ve discovered your body’s capabilities.