Hey friends! Happy Wellness Wednesday to you all. Can you believe we're almost halfway through 2024 already? It seems like just yesterday we were ringing in the new year with fresh hopes, dreams and goals for making this our best year yet. 

But now that May 22nd has rolled around, I can't help but pause and take stock - how are those New Year's resolutions really going for you? Have you been kicking butt and taking names on your 2024 goals? Or are some of them falling by the wayside as life gets busy?

No matter where you're at on your yearly journey, this Wellness Wednesday is the perfect opportunity to revisit those aspirations you set out with on January 1st. Let's do a little goal check-in and get motivated to finish 2024 stronger than ever!

The Goals We Set

When the ball dropped at midnight on December 31st, we all had visions of our "best self" dancing in our heads. Maybe you committed to:

- Getting fit and healthy
- Advancing your career 
- Spending more quality time with loved ones
- Learning a new skill
- Saving more money
- Cutting back on bad habits

The possibilities were endless when 2024 was a blank slate in front of us. We crafted our resolutions with such lofty ambition and pure intentions. But despite starting with so much enthusiasm, research shows that a whopping 80% of New Year's resolutions fail by February!

So if you're among the 20% still crushing your goals by late May, congratulations! You should feel incredibly proud of your perseverance and dedication. But if you're in the other 80% who has struggled to maintain that initial motivation, cut yourself some slack - you're only human after all.

The key is to not beat yourself up, but to re-focus and re-commit to your "Why" for wanting to achieve those resolutions in the first place. Dig deep and reconnect with your inspirations. Then take a clear-eyed look at what's been getting in your way so far.

Overcoming Obstacles

No matter how ironclad your willpower, we all face obstacles and setbacks on the road to self-improvement. Being aware of the potential roadblocks is half the battle:

Obstacle #1: Unrealistic Expectations
One of the biggest pitfalls is aiming too high right out of the gate. Dramatic, large-scale resolutions like "Lose 50 pounds" or "Finally write that novel" are so daunting that you're doomed before you start. 

The fix? Break down your goals into bite-sized, achievable chunks. Instead of the whole 50 pounds at once, commit to losing 1-2 pounds per week. Rather than the entire book, just aim to write 500 words per day. Small, consistent habits lead to big results over time.

Obstacle #2: Lack of Accountability
Studies show you have a 65% better chance of achieving your goals if you get an accountability partner or coach. It's easy to slack off and let ourselves down. But when you have to answer to someone else, you stay way more motivated.

The fix? Find an accountability buddy, sign up for a class, or hire an expert coach. Having someone to answer to keeps you honest and pushes you forward.

Obstacle #3: Overcommitment 
Raise your hand if you made a laundry list of resolutions back in January! We're overachievers, so of course we tried to change everything at once. But taking on too much leads to burnout and failure.

The fix? Prioritize just 1-3 goals to focus on this year. Concentrate all your energy into making those key resolutions a reality before moving on to the next ones. Slow and steady wins the race!

Obstacle #4: Lack of Planning
As the saying goes, "failing to plan is planning to fail." Many resolutions falter because there's no concrete roadmap for reaching the destination.

The fix? Get specific and map out the action steps. Want to pay down debt? Calculate exactly how much you need to pay each month to be debt-free in 12 months. Trying to read more books? Decide how many pages or chapters you'll read per day to finish a book per month. The devil is in the details!

Obstacle #5: Neglecting Self-Care
When you're hustling hard on your goals, self-care is often the first thing to go. But running on empty is a surefire way to derail your efforts. You can't achieve your dreams if you're burned out, stressed and unhealthy.

The fix? Prioritize your well-being every single day. Schedule workout sessions, meal prep healthy foods, get plenty of sleep, and carve out "you" time. An investment in self-care pays dividends in your success.

Finishing 2024 Strong

So there you have it - the top 5 obstacles that tend to get in the way of achieving New Year's resolutions. The good news? They're all totally solvable if you're willing to take an honest look at what's been tripping you up so far in 2024.

By being realistic, getting accountability, prioritizing what's important, planning it out, and taking care of yourself, you can absolutely crush those goals in the remaining six months of the year.

And if you've already fallen off track, no worries! Shake off those feelings of failure and regain your motivation right now. This very moment is a chance to re-commit to your "Why" and start fresh on those resolutions.

Because you deserve to experience the pride and fulfillment of achieving your goals. You owe it to yourself to become the "best self" you envisioned on New Year's Eve. And there's still plenty of 2024 left to make it happen!

So let's go, my friends! Take a few minutes right now to revisit those resolutions. Which ones absolutely must get accomplished by December 31st? What tweaks do you need to make to your approach? How can you show up for yourself in a bigger way?

Then take action - one small step after another. Chip away at those goals with relentless determination. Get back on track and protect your precious willpower. 

I'll be right here on #WellnessWednesday and beyond, cheering you on and keeping you motivated to make 2024 everything you hoped it would be. You've got this!

Now tell me - which of your New Year's resolutions are you re-committing to today? How are you going to overcome the obstacles? I can't wait to hear your goals and cheer you on!

***Remember the Home Town Heroes Program begins again July 1st, 2024

Do not miss the opportunity to get funds to assist you with downpayment or closing costs towards the purchase of a new home. Let's talk today because those funds will not last long.

Click on the photo below for more information.