Want your New Year’s resolutions to stick? Just think like a dog trainer!
1. Start small.
Most people set very ambitious New Year’s resolutions — run a marathon, learn a new language, start a business or live debt-free. While these are great goals, they’re also overwhelming! Instead of looking at the whole end goal, try breaking it down into tiny mini-milestones that will still move you in the right direction.
2. Set a specific goal.
“Get healthy” is a hard goal to achieve because it’s hard to picture clearly. In concrete terms, what does your version of “healthy” look like on a day-to-day basis? The more specific and personalized your goals are, the easier they are to track and accomplish.
3. Treat yo’self.
Don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments along the way. Keeping morale high makes it easier to stick with the program in the long term. For best results, pick a reward that also motivates you toward the long-term goal, such as new running shoes if you have completed the first 5k leading up to your marathon.
4. Focus on the want-to.
Reward-based motivation is as potent for people as it is for dogs. Reminding yourself that you “have to” do something makes it even harder to start and can build resentment. Instead, focus on why this goal matters to you and how much your life will improve when you accomplish it.
5. Manage your environment.
“Out of sight, out of mind” makes it easier to succeed. If you know that specific things tempt you to make the wrong choices, make a plan for how to avoid those temptations temporarily while you establish your new habits. Once you’re on the right track, you can gradually add those distractions back in. And the opposite is also true! If you want to make sure you stick with a plan, keep the first step as visible and prominent as possible so it is easier to get started.
Make this your year!
Those five training tips are sure to have you and your dog moving in the right direction! As a treat, enjoy a cute video:
What are you hoping to accomplish this year? Haven the deaf aussie’s goal for the year is to conquer her new treadmill so she can stay in shape for dog sports during the off-season!