01/05/2026
❓3 questions to ask before setting new goals:
1. Is this goal 100% within my control? If your goal depends on the weather, your kids sleeping in until a certain time or some other factor outside of your control- go back and change it so it’s 100% within your control.
For example: I want to loose 20 lbs (not 100% in your control) VS I will walk for 30 minutes 3 days per week.
2. Is this goal coming from my inner critic? If you goal is driven by feelings of shame, feeling not good enough or like something is wrong with you, it’s doomed to fail. Our inner critic loves to point out everything we’re doing wrong but that is not the voice that should be guiding our goals. If the word “should” is in your goal, it’s probably coming from your inner critic. Instead, see if you can call up the most loving, supportive part of you and set goals from that perspective.
3. What do I need to STOP or DO LESS of to create space and time for my new goal? If you’re like me and most of the patients I work with, you’re really good at adding new stuff into your schedule. But since most of us don’t actually have any free time, we end up “not having time” for the new habits we’re trying to create. Do me a favour: before you add anything more to your schedule, ask yourself this important question: what can I do less of to make space for something new. And if the answer is there’s nothing I can cut, this may not be the time to add something new, and that’s ok!
BONUS QUESTION: On a scale of 1 - 10, how motivated am I to (insert new habit here?). 1 = not motivated at all, 10 = extremely motivated.
If you answer less than 7, don’t bother proceeding. It’s either not the right goal or the right time for that goal. So you can adjust it until your motivation gets above 7 (usually by lowering the bar and making the goal WAYYYYY smaller) or revisit it in a couple months.
What do you need to stop or do less of to make time & space for your 2026 goals?
