WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #81: New Year, New Mindset

’Tis the season for New Year’s resolutions – those goals we set on January 1^st that so many of us abandon within a few weeks. But the experts have some suggestions on how to craft resolutions that will actually stick.

1. Focus on behaviours, not outcomes. Don’t plan to lose 10 pounds; plan to pursue healthier choices. Set an earlier bed time, for example, or schedule a couple of hours every weekend for a physical activity.
2. Choose approach-oriented goals, not avoidance-oriented goals. Don’t resolve to kill bad behaviours, resolve to replace them with healthier ones. For example, a resolution that says, “Don’t watch as much TV” is not as powerful or sticky as one that says, “Read a book a month.”
3. Think big but start small. Big goals are great and important, but tangible, little steps make for the kind of lasting change that’s necessary.

Happy resolving!

--------

Each week, ICBA’s Jordan Bateman reflects on what we’ve learned as we participate in ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program. ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program is helping more than 90 companies and nearly 10,000 construction professionals better understand mental health. This program is free for all ICBA members – check out icba.ca/wellness for details.