Happy New Year! Welcome 2022!
Did you know this month marks DHP's 14th year anniversary since opening the clinic doors in 2008?
We appreciate everyone who has supported the clinic, bringing their friends, family, and even the occasional pet through our doors. We have had the opportunity to work with great teams and organizations in the community. Although it began with Dr. Jeff and Dr. Ben, it's a team effort here, and we look forward to continuing to be a part of the community and help you perform better every day.
Goal Setting
Part of performing better every day can involve setting goals. With a new year, we often see people making big resolutions, right? Personally, I don't think you have to put the pressure on yourself to make massive changes simply because it is January 1st. It is likely more attainable to set smaller goals throughout the year, and watch yourself grow over time.
Below are some strategies I have found help towards achieving goals, find what works for you!
- Consider your WHY. Set goals that you genuinely want to achieve, not what you think you should be working towards. You can even reframe how you look at goals if they seem overwhelming. For instance, consider them 'intentions' or think of them as things you WANT to do, rather than making yourself do.
- Write down your goals. Putting them to pen and paper will help you map out what you are really trying to achieve.
- Make the goals SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely
- Start small. Break goals down into short-term periods, perhaps working towards a larger goal. Experiencing tangible success in the short-term will motivate you to keep going!
- Use other resources for support! Perhaps tell a close friend or family member about your plan or goals, or keep yourself accountable by writing it in your agenda or calendar, or take a photo every time you do something that works towards your goal.
- Reward yourself. Just like setting short-term goals, make sure you recognize your progress in the short-term too. A reward can be as simple as watching a movie you love at the end of the day, walking to a coffee shop, or buying yourself flowers - whatever sounds nice to you!
- Don't be too hard on yourself! At the end of the day, what really matters is being a good person and feeling happy with yourself.
Here is an example of setting a SMART goal and breaking it down:
- Goal: Walk 10 000 steps per day.
- Why? Maybe getting outside and moving gives you a chance to be off screens, as well as, improves your mood.
- Breaking it down into small, achievable parts: Aim for at least 2 walks per day, could be a walk in the morning, a lunch walk, and/or a walk at sunset!
- Realistic: Don't try to achieve the 10 000 steps in one go, figure out where you have pockets of time.
- Using other resources: Invite a friend to join you for a walk twice this week! Or set your alarm 15-20 minutes earlier to make sure you have the time to get outside.
- Reward yourself: turn your neighbourhood walk into parking further away from a coffee shop, so you get your steps in plus enjoying a nice beverage!
- Re-evaluate: If this isn't working after week 1, what changes can you make? What is working, and what is holding you back?
If you haven't succeeded at your goals yesterday, you can always start today. Take it one day at a time! Here's to helping you perform better every day.
