Here we are in the last week of 2021 and dreams of a better future in 2022 fill all of us. With another year of the pandemic (and certainly, pandemic-fatigue) behind us, we are ready to embark on a new and better year ahead.

In anticipation of a new beginning, we usually make a new year’s resolution to change something in ourselves to assure that 2022 is better than any previous year. It seems this is a recurring dream, similar in many ways to what we thought for 2021, 2020 and who can remember how many years before that. What’s different this year?

Quite a few of my clients tell me that this year’s resolution is the same as they have made in the past – to lose 5-10 pounds, to strengthen the relationship with a spouse/partner, to eat better and lessen alcohol consumption – only this year things will be different, and the resolution will stick beyond the middle of January!

Upon reflection, we discover that we often set goals that are either unrealistic or we do not allow enough time to achieve the goal. We often jump into a process that leads to burnout, or injury due to impatience or unrealistic expectations. If this sounds familiar, let’s change the plan. After all, if nothing changes from the past, nothing changes in the future.

With a little exploration, we can strengthen the likelihood of success. Instead of making the same old resolution, or a common resolution that matches everyone else’s, reframe the resolution. Choose a goal that has significance for you and create a reasonable timeline with incremental targets along the way to measure success.

We may not be able to run a marathon next week if we haven’t run in years, but we can start the journey by creating a program of walking for 15 minutes a day to build endurance and create the habit of exercise. Have a reasonable timeline for success with incremental markers – running a 5K in two months, a 10K in 6 months, a half marathon in 9 months, all as a build up to a marathon in early 2023.

Success for any resolution follows the same formula – a choice of a meaningful change, a thoughtful process to achieve the goal, incremental markers of continuing success, and a reasonable timeline to meet the goal.

The changes are significant when we stay within ourselves.