Two Degrees of Difference: The Key to New Year’s Resolutions Success

Welcome 2024! Can you believe it? As we begin this new year, many of us find ourselves setting ambitious resolutions, often aiming for significant life changes to improve health,happiness, and financial independence. Also, many of us find ourselves losing sight of our goals by mid-February and find we’ve slipped right back to where we were before. At River Haven Counseling, advocate for a different approach –  "Two Degrees of Difference." This method focuses on making small, manageable adjustments that collectively lead to substantial, lasting change. By applying this principle to your New Year's resolutions, you increase your chances of success. Let's explore how you can incorporate this strategy into your goal-setting and achieve more this year.

Embracing Small Changes: The core of the "Two Degrees of Difference" approach lies in recognizing the power of minor adjustments. Instead of overhauling your lifestyle overnight, focus on making small, incremental changes. This method is less overwhelming and more sustainable.

Example: If your resolution is to be healthier, instead of committing to an extreme diet, start by incorporating one extra serving of vegetables into your meals each day. Small dietary adjustments are more manageable and sustainable in the long run.

Measuring Progress in Multiple Ways: Success isn’t just measured by the end goal; it's also about the small victories along the way.When you're working towards a resolution, find various ways to track your progress, not just the obvious metrics.

Example: If you aim to exercise more, don't just measure success by weight loss or muscle gain. Consider tracking how many days you stayed active,how you improved in endurance or strength, or even how your mood and energy levels have changed.

The Power of Reward: Rewards play a crucial role in keeping you motivated. When you reach a small milestone, celebrate it! This reinforces the positive behavior and keeps you motivated to continue.

Example: If your resolution is to save money, treat yourself to a small reward each time you reach a mini-goal, like a favorite coffee or a movie night, after saving a certain amount. These little celebrations acknowledge your effort and keep the journey enjoyable.

4. Consistency Over Perfection: Remember, it's about progress, not perfection. There will be days when you fall short or slip back,and that's okay. The key is to be consistent. Even if you take a step back,don't give up. Get back on the horse and keep moving forward.

Example: If you miss a day of your planned activities, don't be harsh on yourself. Acknowledge the slip, reflect on why it happened without judgement,and refocus on your goal the next day.

At River Haven Counseling, we utilize "Two Degrees of Difference" with how we work with our clients. Apply this concept to your New Year’s goals! Let this New Year be the one where you turn your resolutions into realities, one small step at a time.