How to approach your New Year’s Resolutions

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I have been thinking a lot lately about goal setting in the new year. After taking the online course Make Over Your Year last winter about how to set and achieve your goals for the year, I have been more driven by goal setting and challenges than ever before.

Even though I did not stick to all of the goals I wrote down, I accomplished many smaller goals through out the year, because they fell into my life naturally. Forcing yourself into a goal that you think you are supposed to make at the beginning of the year will not set you up for success.

Choose a goal that fits your lifestyle and you will be more likely to succeed.

Last year I started doing yoga daily. Off of a whim I started posting poses on Instagram @rebeccalynnyoga and I had no idea how much that would change my year (more about that another time). It became my priority, and most of my time was spent participating in yoga challenges. Practicing daily, posting photos, and taking part in a community. Since I gave this priority in my life, I no longer had to convince myself to get on my mat everyday and practice, it came naturally. My goal turned into a lifestyle.

Your goal can be anything – to become healthier, make a lifestyle change, pay off debt, travel more.. The list goes on and on. What ever it is you choose, make sure it aligns with your current priorities.

This year I plan to go about the act of goal setting differently. My future, and my year are completely open. Instead of setting a goal for the entire year, I am going to set an intention. A word to center my choices on. To umbrella any goals I chose to set through out the year. This year is a chapter yet to be written. Without an outline in place, I have the time and space to explore, grow and learn.

My word for the year:

Thrive

to grow or develop vigorously; flourish

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My New Year’s Resolution:  

To set short term goals that align with my lifestyle and priorities. Taking life one day at a time, and focusing on what is important to me. 

How will I do this? By setting a series of monthly goals. January goals coming soon!

Tips to set achievable goals:

1. Write it down. This is important. Saying it out load is the first step but writing down your goals will make them come to life.
2. Create a plan. How are you going to accomplish your goals. Do you need to take a class? Find a work out partner?
3. Give yourself a time frame. Setting a timeframe in which you complete the goal will give you something to look forward to. A year is a long time, but still achievable if you stay focused. I recommend breaking your goal up into quarters or months. Write these dates on your calendar and tackle your goals bit by bit!
4. Limit the number of goals you have. If you are new to goal setting I highly recommend limiting your goals to 2 or 3. This will help you stay focused with out getting overwhelmed and giving up.
5. Find accountability. Ask someone to keep you accountable to your goal. This can be a friend, neighbor, a sibling or parent, even someone at your gym. Have them check in on you and your goals. Consider offering the same favor and work on your goals together!

Recommended Inspiration for Goal Setting:

Beautiful Uncertainty by Mandy Hale – While this is written with single women in mind. I would recommend this to anyone who wonders about, or questions what their future will look like. During Chapter 2, Mandy suggests making a dream board for the year. Reading this at the beginning of the year while thinking of goals is a great way to dream a little bigger while focusing in on the goals that are of priority to you!

On Having a Guiding Word for the Year, a podcast from elisejoy.com – I listened to this episode last year, and the idea has stuck with me, so I listened to it again this week! She and her guest Ali Edwards explain what it means to set an intention for your year, and choosing one word to focus on. After I relistened to last year’s podcast she came out with her newest podcast looking back on the word she had chosen for 2016, and her thoughts about choosing a word for 2017!

Make Over Your Year Course by Crystal Paine from moneysavingmom.com – Crystal and her husband take you through the steps of goal setting, starting by determining your priorities and taking you through the process of determining the necessary steps to achieve your goals. This is online course is ideal for anyone with a goal in mind who needs the help and motivation to start.

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Happy New Year!

Rebecca

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