Keep your New Year's resolutions - our 5 tips

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John Bethell

December 23, 2019

Achieve your New Year’s resolutions this year and even try a new hobby!

Will you be making a New Year’s resolution for 2020? Maybe you’ve got a big goal you’d like to achieve? Read on to find out our top tips for achieving your New Year’s resolutions. And if you’re in need of some inspiration, we looked at the hobbies some of our doctors from around the world have shared with us over the years. 

Blog banner 1200 x 500pxWhat hobbies do our doctors around the world enjoy?

Music Maestro

It turns out that our doctors are a musical bunch, but what are their instruments of choice? Perhaps no surprise piano is the most popular with the guitar a distant second. Violin is also in there, but trombone seems to be less popular than most. Singing appears to be a popular pursuit with many doing so as part of a choir.

High Brow Pursuits

Chess looms large as an appropriately intellectual pursuit, beating Scrabble. It seems that our doctors prefer to eat at home, with learning to cook being far more popular than dining out. After dinner our doctors like to curl up at home with a good book, preferring to read fiction & novels over going out to movies. There is a small but no doubt passionate group that would rather spend some time with their stamps - philately.

Let's Get Physical

As for sport, well our doctors are clearly enthusiasts. Tennis is the clear favourite with rugby a distant second followed closely by golf. Soccer and surfing are neck and neck with sailing just behind. Badminton is the wild card – who knew it was so popular? Thrill-seekers are split down the middle between skydivers and bungee-jumpers.

Infinity and Beyond

And as for the ultra-adventurous, many have reached Everest base camp with at least one making it to the summit. Some have visited the Arctic while others have been to the opposite end of the world setting foot on Antarctica - mostly as expedition doctors.

Just Random

Finally, there are those hobbies and interests that are unique to a few individuals. Some that pop out of our data set includes goldfish, fancy chickens, bees, pigs and my personal favourite, “finger painting with my kids”.

A talented and interesting lot I’m sure you’ll agree.

Stamp mid banner

Now, whether you already had a goal in mind or have taken inspiration from the doctors above, here are our tips to achieve your New Year’s resolutions with ease!

1. Choose your resolution goals wisely

If you’re aiming for a new goal, we suggest linking it with something you love. For example, a popular resolution is to shed a few extra kilos. Setting an arbitrary goal and torturing yourself at the gym while restricting yourself to salads probably isn’t going to inspire you to stick with it. However, if you link your health goal with one of your favourite activities, you’ll have a better chance of success. So, if you’re a tennis enthusiast, a golf addict or a rugby fan, why not make those interests part of your goal?

2. Make your resolution goals SMART

Vague goals, with no sense of direction, are almost guaranteed to fail. SMART goals, on the other hand, are a good way to set yourself up for success. SMART goals are an acronym for: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. 

Maybe one of your goals is to take up a musical instrument? SMART goals around your aspirations might look like this:

  • Specific: “I want to learn how to play a new song on my piano within two months.”
  • Measurable: “I will practise my piano skills on Monday and Wednesday evening.”
  • Achievable: Is your goal something you are able to accomplish? Do you already know how to play the piano? Or will you need the help of a tutor to make it happen?
  • Realistic: Is your goal achievable within your timeframe and current access to resources?
  • Timely: What is your deadline for achieving your goal?

Making a goal that incorporates SMART qualities can increase your chance of successfully achieving your New Year’s resolution. 

3. Break down your resolution goal and reward yourself

If you have a big goal in mind, such as running a marathon, it helps to set smaller milestones and to celebrate your wins. For example, if you’re a marathon running novice, a smaller milestone might be running your first 5km without stopping.

Whatever the mini-goals are, make sure you pat yourself on the back when you achieve them. Maybe your reward is a massage, a new book, or a meal out at your favourite restaurant. Recognising your achievements and celebrating them along the way can help you feel positive about your progress and keep you on track.

Running

4. Adopt a habit mindset to achieve your resolutions

Soon after the thrill of the New Year’s Eve fireworks has worn off it’s not uncommon to find that your motivation has waned too. Motivation might get you started, but it’s your habits that build consistency — and consistency is what gets results.

Building a routine where you can consistently work towards your goal is what will help you achieve your resolution. For many people, this might mean a daily commitment such as:

  • “I will go to the gym every day.”
  • “I will meditate for 10 minutes every morning before I get my coffee.”

Build your daily commitment into your routine, just like brushing your teeth. And slowly you’ll solidify the new behaviour and the results will follow.

5. Get support to reach your resolution goals

Social support can be influential when it comes to helping us make changes. Family, friends, and even co-workers can be a positive influence. If you have a friend who is also working towards the same goal it might help to partner together and keep each other accountable.

Hopefully, you’ve now been inspired to set some New Year’s resolutions you can achieve.

Get in touch and let us know if you’re trying a new hobby as your resolution in 2020!

Or if your resolution is to find a new permanent or locum job, register here and we’ll be in touch for a confidential chat.

Happy New Year!

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