Reframing Resolutions

Written and medically reviewed by Naomi Parrella, MD

What is a resolution? Is it a goal?

If you were a patient coming into my office for the first time, we’d explore what’s behind your goals. Let’s say you want to lose a certain amount of weight. Why? Maybe you want to fit into clothes better and have more confidence, or improve your sleep and have more energy, or feel less knee pain so you can be more active. These reasons are much more powerful than the “goal” of losing XYZ pounds. These are aspirations.

On the journey toward an aspiration, goals are merely milestones along the way. When you frame things this way, you can always reroute, refocus, and keep trending toward your aspiration, no matter what unexpected deviations occur along the way. Put another way: Goals can change! (Aspirations are more constant.) Especially when obstacles arise, goals will often need to change. For example, you can’t meet your goal of lifting weights 3 days a week if you injure your back. But as long as you keep your aspiration in mind (“I want to be fit and strong enough to stay independent as I age”), you can adjust your goals to continue working toward your aspiration.

• Start by asking yourself: