A new year often involves resolutions to improve health, form a new habit or change one’s behavior. To better achieve these changes, Brittney Schrick, extension associate professor and family life specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, recommends setting SMART goals by ensuring they are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-sensitive.
One of the biggest barriers people face when trying to form a new habit is “expecting to be perfect right out of the gate,” Schrick said.
“Often, if we ‘fail’ at something, we give up,” she said. “What is lost here is the idea that practice is necessary. It can’t be an all-or-nothing attitude, and that tends to be how we approach New Year’s resolutions. Give yourself some grace and give yourself the opportunity to start over multiple times.”…