As the calendar ticks over for another year, you may have recently set resolutions to guide your new year with purpose. While enthusiasm is high, making resolutions that last beyond that initial spark of motivation can be challenging.
If you’re tired of the cycle of cheerfully setting and quickly abandoning your resolutions, we want to make this year different.
Let’s explore how embracing some of the transformative principles we follow in Pilates can unlock your full potential in 2024 and help ensure you have resolutions worth keeping.
- Start with Mindfulness and Gratitude
Taking time to self-reflect can set your goals up for success. Looking back on the year that was with gratitude before focusing forward will help you notice what’s genuinely important to you.
Gratitude “literally breathes new life into us. It recharges, and it rejuvenates,” Emmons, a professor of psychology at the University of California, told ABC News. So, take a moment to consider what makes you happy, what experiences you want to bring into your life that would make you thankful, and the areas of your life that you want to enhance or grow.
In Pilates, we practice mindfulness and gratitude by being present in the moment, grateful for our achievements, and always showing up on the reformer as our authentic selves.
Follow these principles to set fulfilling goals that align with your truth and who you want to become over the next year.
- Focus on the Journey, Not Just the Destination
Pilates teaches us that each movement is a special journey to enjoy. So, shifting your focus from the results you want to achieve to the process of achieving them is a fantastic way to incorporate this principle into your resolutions.
Consider what small wins you’ll celebrate or how you can set intentions like ‘I enjoy daily active movement’ to keep you motivated.
Pilates isn’t confined to the studio; it’s a lifestyle. Similarly, seamlessly integrating your resolutions into your daily routine will ensure they aren’t treated as chores you don’t have time to do.
- Embrace Clear, Small, and Consistent Steps
Incremental progress over time is the foundation of good Pilates practice – it’s also an excellent principle for your resolutions. While it’s admirable to set lofty goals, not breaking them into small achievable steps can set you up for overwhelm.
Pilates is all about precision and control, so instead of setting “I will get fit” as your goal, consider “I will attend three Pilates classes a week” as a measurable step to achieve your overall objective. Then, when you’re ready to step it up, you can upgrade to “attend four classes a week” – imagine how incredible that will feel!
Research in Positive Psychology suggests that people don’t tend to perform well when the goals are vague or too challenging. So, you can feel confident that setting precise and achievable goals is a wise and worthy approach.
- Find Your Balance
Balance in Pilates is more than not falling off your reformer – it’s about alignment between your body and mind. Extend this philosophy to your resolutions by considering your mental, emotional, and physical well-being in your goals.
Some goals crossover multiple areas of your life, too. You might want to focus on your physical health, but focusing there could also tick off goals for improving your mental health. For example, regular Pilates can not only help you craft a perky toosh but also contribute to your mental well-being.
So, remember not to put all your resolutions in one basket. Balancing your goals across the different areas of your life will help you avoid burnout, and you’ll feel super accomplished when you hit all your milestones.
- Cultivate Your Supportive Community
Surrounding yourself with a supportive community can be the key to keeping your sights on your goals. Sharing your resolutions with a supportive community that encourages and celebrates your progress will feel rewarding and foster more motivation.
Pilates fosters a strong sense of community, and regular challenges like Amplify (starting 5 February) add collective support to the mix. You can also leverage a sense of camaraderie in your resolutions by including friends or family by telling them about your goals – or even better – getting them involved.
Now that you’re ready to check your New Year’s resolutions are ideal for YOU – let these principles be your guide. By approaching your goals with mindfulness, precision, and the spirit of balanced well-being shared with your cherished community, you’re setting yourself up for success and nurturing a sustainable path toward a more fulfilling year ahead. We can’t wait to see what you achieve!
