Goals and Resolutions | Blogchatter's A2Z

I bet hardly anyone who has not fallen into the dream of setting goals and New Year's resolutions.

We think about our achievements and what we still hope to accomplish. New Year's Eve stirs visions of change, urging us to transform our lives overnight. We take it seriously when the new year starts, and slowly it fades away till the end of the year, and the same deadlock circle continues year-on-year.

But some of us do take it seriously and make consistent efforts to fulfill it and make it come true from hope and dream to reality.

Before we go further, let me tell you why goals and resolutions do not mean the same thing.

Goals are desired results you aim to achieve at a specific target, while Resolutions can be explained as a way to change your current/desired actions to achieve goals. Let's understand with an example:

Suppose you have a dream of having a Mahindra XUV700 in the next 2 years. This is your goal. What will you do to achieve this? You will see how much money you have first with you to purchase the car. If not sufficient, you will take a resolution of saving X amount of money over Y period, and also you will see if your CIBIL score is good enough to get a car loan. If not, you will take another resolution to maintain/make up the required score.

Does setting up goals and resolutions really help?

Statements like “I want to be fit” or “I want to read more” sound appealing, but they lack a specific plan. Research shows that about 80% of resolutions fail by mid-February. This leads to disappointment and guilt. This is the most common observation around.

Coming to the answer to the question, yes, setting up goals and resolutions does help to improve your lifestyle and achieve your dreams if:

• You set up goals and resolutions that are practically achievable

• Your commitment and timely progress towards achieving them.

• Tracking down your progress in a proper way and celebrating it

• Self-control and leaving some habits/things behind that come as hurdles in your way of achieving goals and resolutions.

Telling about my experience, I was also a mid-February leaver of goals and resolutions. But at some point in my life, I had to take them seriously, and now I am in the process of working towards my goals and resolutions. It does give me real satisfaction and peace of mind.

Goals as a Lifestyle

Realizing resolutions often fall apart made me rethink how I set my aspirations. Instead of just statements, I began to develop actionable, measurable plans.

For example, instead of declaring, “I want to run a marathon,” I signed up for a 5K. This incremental approach reduced intimidation and turned the journey into a celebration. Each small victory felt like a stepping stone toward my larger ambitions.

How do I track my goals and resolutions?

At the end of each month, I sit down with my journal to review my progress. I assess them what worked, what didn’t, and why. This introspection proves vital as it allows me to celebrate my achievements.

A flexible mindset became essential. If something didn’t work, I learned to adjust rather than dwell on setbacks. This adaptability kept my journey dynamic and engaging, helping me stay motivated.

Appreciating the Journey

One of the biggest mindset shifts for me was learning to embrace the journey over the destination. I started valuing experiences and lessons learned rather than fixating solely on my end goals.

Whether it was running, experimenting with a new blog, or reading a challenging book, I found joy in the process. This realization freed me from the chains of perfectionism. Mistakes became opportunities for growth, and I learned to be kinder to myself. I began appreciating each moment rather than judging them based on success or failure.

Celebrate your milestone achievements

I do celebrate my little milestone achievements in a unique way. I put some amount of money in my piggy bank, which, on my birthday, I break and see if I have something to buy from it or if I'd rather invest it if nothing. It helps me in reducing my impulse buying habit and thus gives a boost to my habit of saving. This acknowledgment not only boosted my confidence but also created a positive feedback loop that encouraged me to keep pursuing my goals.

Reflecting on the Journey Ahead

Life isn't about striving for perfection; it's about the journey of growth. It’s about embracing dreams and allowing ourselves the grace to evolve.

As we look ahead, instead of chasing yearly promises that often fade, try nurturing a lifestyle rooted in intentionality, reflection, adaptability, and celebration.

Some of my goals I follow and what resolutions I take towards them:

Goals	Resolutions
Family trip once a year	Saving a fix amount 100 Rs daily or 500 Rs weekly in Travel piggy bank
Owning a Royal Enfield	Restricting impulse buying to X Rs./Year and saving some in RE Piggy Bank
Winning a Cyclothon	Daily cycling of x kms along with a little bunch of exercise.
Less Screen time	Reading physical newspapers instead of digital news and reading physical books.

Remember, it’s less about ticking items off a list and more about weaving dreams into our daily lives. With the right mindset and approach, we can turn our aspirations into a vibrant reality worth celebrating every day.

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