Don’t just set a New Year’s resolution: set your north star
As the year draws to a close, along with the inevitable changes in routine that happen at this time of year, many people start thinking about the habits they’re unhappy with and plan to “tidy them up” in the new year.
Things like getting to bed on time, eating more vegetables and fewer sugary treats, cutting back on alcohol (which often flows freely during holidays and celebrations), re-establishing an exercise routine — or perhaps leaning into a larger life reset. All the things we know will help us to be healthier and feel better in ourselves.
Others are perhaps enjoying prioritising their wellbeing during a break from work pressure and resolve to keep that routine going in the new year. Over this holiday period, I notice many people getting out for morning exercise. It’s often a time when we generously give time to friends and family, prioritise rest and relaxation, explore mindfulness, and enjoy good-quality nourishment.
And yet, many of these healthy habits too often fall away as soon as the work-school routine restarts and the sparkle of the summer holiday (in the southern hemisphere at least) begins to fade.
The willpower needed to meet many well-intended resolutions often falls short of what’s required to turn a behaviour change into a genuine lifestyle upgrade.
Is your new goal actually in line with what’s important to you?
Does it mean more than an “I know I should…” reason for making the change?
What’s in place to keep you going when roadblocks crop up?
And what mindset helps you reset when you have a wobble?
Those who drive, ski, or ride a bike will know the golden rule: always look where you want to go. I’ve learned — through my own cycling experiences and while coaching others (kids, adults, and athletes alike) — that if you fix your gaze on the thing you don’t want to hit, you’re actually more likely to hit it.
Similarly, when moving slowly through a tricky manoeuvre, locking your eyes onto where you want to go is one sure way to stay steady and avoid wobbling off course.
This is a powerful metaphor for the importance of clarity around your values when setting goals and working towards new resolutions. Your values act as a north star — something that keeps you oriented when the behaviour change feels hard. When momentum dips, when you hit a roadblock, or even when you fall right off the path, values help you reset because it’s crystal clear where you’re headed.
So as you ponder the year ahead and the changes — big or small — that you’d like to make, I encourage you to set your north star first. Clarify your values so your goals genuinely move you towards the life you want to live. And keep your eyes on that star, so that even when the path is full of obstacles, your direction remains clear.