Posted on January 08, 2018 by Jenny Cromack
We have nearly made it through the first week of 2018 and so far, so good (apart from dropping both of my phones down the toilet!). New Year resolutions are something that get a bad rap off most people, and that is mostly because no one ever sticks to them. Which makes no sense, why make a statement such as I am going to stop drinking if you know it is unattainable.
Personally, I have never made a New Year Resolution – for the same reasons as stated above. However, this year I have decided that I am going to use 2018 as an opportunity to motivate myself into reading more. I feel I can learn a lot from reading, whether these are academic type books that directly links to Strength and Conditioning, Athletic Development and Coaching or whether there are fiction or non-fiction books – I think it will be a really beneficial hobby. The problem for me will be making time, to solve this I have downloaded an app the reads the book to you – like a podcast. Which mean if you come into the gym from now on and instead of music, I am listening to a man talking about open and closed-chain failure you know why. I can also listen in the car and just round the house at home. I have started well this week, already listen to the first 4 chapters of a Matthew Syed book.
My first ever new year resolution got me to thinking, I wonder what the guys in the Motive8 team are doing in 2018 and do they do New Years Resolutions…Here is what I found out:
Jenny
In general I don’t make resolutions as I tend to reflect on my training and goals throughout the year, normally at key points such as when I have events coming up and after an event so I can review my performance and know what I need to improve on to do better next time.
Saying that, I do find New Year is a good time for reflection. So, here are my thoughts about my goals for 2018. As most of you will know, I’m pregnant with my first child – one of the things I’ve really learned over the last 20 weeks or so is that I need to listen to my body more and rest when I need to….get me being sensible! So this is on of my focus’ for the final trimester….that doesn’t mean I will be getting lazy though!
I’m already planning some events for when the baby is born. I’m 40 in September, and have a goal of ‘4 at 40’….4 events in my 40th year to raise money for charity….a half marathon, a 100 mile cycling sportive, a 3-5k open water swim and the biggest challenge, a half iron man , I cannot wait for this one! It’s been on my bucket list since I start doing triathlons. Once I’ve had the baby I’ll start planning these events in, with a view to completing at least two before the end of 2018. I’m also hoping to enter a GB qualifying race again too towards the end of the race season….watch this space!
Ieuan
I do not set new year’s resolutions because I am a believer that goal setting is a tool that should used year around. I make sure I set myself regular long and short term goals throughout the year for all aspects of my life, such as exercise, work, and fun. If we wait until the 1st of January every year to set our big “life changing” goals and attitudes, is this the right attitude to have? I am all for looking to change something but do this regularly throughout the year and you will reap more rewards.
Emily
Like Ieuan, I don’t do new year resolutions. Personal growth and development is a lifelong process and not just once a year. As well as goal setting I do a lot of reflective practice; what’s worked, what hasn’t, what did I enjoy or not and use that as a tool for my goals. If I don’t like something, I change it, I don’t need reasons or excuses. Sometimes these changes can just be a change of attitude. For example, I used to work in a bar as a second job. I didn’t enjoy it. I realised that it was my choice to do it because I wanted some extra cash. It was then that I decided that I should either quit or change my view. I began seeing my role as a party host and I had a responsibility to make sure everyone was having a good time. Subsequently I ended up working there for 10 years and gained some life-long friends from it too. Imagine if I’d waited until New Year to do anything about my job! Ultimately, I always put my happiness and quality of life first.
Kate
See previous blog http://www.m8north.co.uk/blog/what-my-2018-looks-like
…Seems like I am in the minority for having a new years resolution this year!!