Skip to main content
Get Care MyChart Find a Provider Find a Location
Nancy L Ernst
About the author
Nancy L Ernst

How do you measure success?

We’re now a few weeks into 2022. How are those New Year’s resolutions coming along? Many of you set goals to improve your health. Oftentimes, these goals are unrealistic and you find yourself falling back into old habits after a few weeks. Now what? Do you give up because perfection is no longer an option? Absolutely not! Perfection isn’t realistic, and it may even hinder those health goals you set on January 1st. Strict “all-or-nothing” resolutions are frustrating. Goals like that force you to focus on your failures. Missing a day of your New Year’s Resolution doesn’t mean that you’ve failed.

Ultimately, people make resolutions with the goal of becoming healthier and happier. So ask yourself if you have improved your health with your goals and are happier because of them? If so, congratulate yourself and build from it. Looking at progress rather than perfection allows you to see what is working, rather than what you’ve failed to accomplish. Sometimes resolutions need amendments to really work long-term. Consider the barriers to your resolution and experiment with different strategies to make it work. Approach problem-solving as an experiment, realizing that not every experiment works. Continue to look for better ways to approach the challenge.

Perfection is frustrating because it is unattainable. Progress is hopeful because it’s always there, as long as you are making adjustments and improvements. You don’t need to be perfect to be healthier. Keep up the progress you are making and forget about perfection. In reality, nobody is perfect anyway!

Related articles

woman doing dumbbell curl

What exercise burns the most calories?

Discover the benefits of anaerobic and high-intensity workouts, which help burn calories and improve overall fitness. Start your calorie-burning journey today.
Nutrition and your mental health

The link between nutrition and your mental health

The foods you eat can positively impact your brain function, mood and mental health. Apply this “back to the basics” approach of focusing on simple, healthy food for the brain
Is my child getting enough fiber

How much fiber does my child need?

Learn about the importance of fiber in a child’s diet and how to incorporate high-fiber foods for kids.
have you heard the benefits of flaxseed

Have you heard about the health benefits of flax seeds?

Curious about the incredible health and nutritional benefits of flax seeds? Read on about flax seeds benefits and easy ways to incorporate this superfood into your diet.

1900 South Ave.
La Crosse, WI 54601

(608) 782-7300

Language Support:
Jump back to top