TEEN BLOG
A Message from a Youth Perspective with current events and topics related to Youth Trends and Mental Health tips
A Message from a Youth Perspective with current events and topics related to Youth Trends and Mental Health tips
BE INTENTIONAL
BE INTENTIONAL
You should never be too ambitious when it comes to setting new goals. I am certain that most
You should never be too ambitious when it comes to setting new goals. I am certain that most
people set elevated expectations for themselves for their new year's resolutions; I am no stranger
people set elevated expectations for themselves for their new year's resolutions; I am no stranger
to this myself. I love to set really demanding goals that would benefit me in the long run, though
to this myself. I love to set really demanding goals that would benefit me in the long run, though
there are times that I have not fully committed to said goals. From what I have noticed, testing
there are times that I have not fully committed to said goals. From what I have noticed, testing
yourself to see how many things you wish to accomplish all at once tends to be rather
yourself to see how many things you wish to accomplish all at once tends to be rather
demotivating. This idea of mine is backed by the Forbes Health article, “New Year’s Resolutions
demotivating. This idea of mine is backed by the Forbes Health article, “New Year’s Resolutions
Statistics” which reveals that over 50% of people who set new year's resolutions for themselves
Statistics” which reveals that over 50% of people who set new year's resolutions for themselves
do not get past 3-months of commitment toward these goals. Sure, initially you could be overly
do not get past 3-months of commitment toward these goals. Sure, initially you could be overly
excited to start improving yourself in numerous ways, but in practice it could end up being
excited to start improving yourself in numerous ways, but in practice it could end up being
taxing on your own self-esteem. Say you wanted to lose 50 pounds, save up money throughout
taxing on your own self-esteem. Say you wanted to lose 50 pounds, save up money throughout
the entire year, and volunteer for non-profits among many other things.
the entire year, and volunteer for non-profits among many other things.
If you have never completed a new years resolution before, there is a good chance that you
If you have never completed a new years resolution before, there is a good chance that you
would not know when and where to start acting on these goals. From what I experienced, this
would not know when and where to start acting on these goals. From what I experienced, this
absence of direction can lead to confusion and a lack of motivation all because too much was put
absence of direction can lead to confusion and a lack of motivation all because too much was put
on your plate. This is why you want to start off small. Instead of having 5+ goals you wish to
on your plate. This is why you want to start off small. Instead of having 5+ goals you wish to
complete, begin with 2-4 goals. If managing 2-4 goals turns out to be an easy task in one year,
complete, begin with 2-4 goals. If managing 2-4 goals turns out to be an easy task in one year,
you can increase this range for yourself in the future. You would also want to start off goals
you can increase this range for yourself in the future. You would also want to start off goals
small instead of going big immediately. Instead of trying to lose 50 pounds in 3 months, go for
small instead of going big immediately. Instead of trying to lose 50 pounds in 3 months, go for
25 pounds instead. Again, if 25 pounds was too easy or still too inconvenient of a task to
25 pounds instead. Again, if 25 pounds was too easy or still too inconvenient of a task to
achieve, you are free to adjust the amount of weight you wish to lose at any given time. Schedule
achieve, you are free to adjust the amount of weight you wish to lose at any given time. Schedule
when and where you want to achieve a particular goal so that you can balance out your daily life
when and where you want to achieve a particular goal so that you can balance out your daily life
with these accomplishments while staying organized. Having a set schedule instead of randomly
with these accomplishments while staying organized. Having a set schedule instead of randomly
deciding when and where you wish to do a particular task did wonders for me since it kept my
deciding when and where you wish to do a particular task did wonders for me since it kept my
motivation up and adds an incentive to do said task.
motivation up and adds an incentive to do said task.
Citations:
Citations:
Davis, Sarah. “New Year’s Resolutions Statistics 2023.” Forbes Health, 11 Jan. 2023,
Davis, Sarah. “New Year’s Resolutions Statistics 2023.” Forbes Health, 11 Jan. 2023,
www.forbes.com/health/mind/new-years-resolutions-statistics/.
www.forbes.com/health/mind/new-years-resolutions-statistics/.
Written by Matthew Garrett
YHELP! Intern Blogger