Hello 2016! New Year, New You
The parties and celebrations are over, It’s a new year. For many people that means making New Year’s Resolutions. Maybe even the same ones you made last year!
I love the fresh start that comes with a new year. I love planning goals and thinking about all I want to accomplish during the coming 12 months. However, I have learned that it is not so easy to stay motivated and accomplish my goals.
Before you start making those ambitious goals for 2016, stop and think about why you want to succeed. What is your motivation to change? Visualize yourself having already accomplished your goal. How do you feel? What do you look like?
It is easy to remember your grand plans for 2016 in the beginning when you are excited and motivated. Then at some point in January or February, you miss a day of exercising or eat something that wasn’t on your healthy eating plan. You need to remind yourself why you set that goal. You need to go back to your “why.”
Remember making changes takes time and hard work.. Anything is possible if you have the dedication to keep trying…but that doesn’t mean it will be easy.
Making a vision board with inspiring pictures and encouraging quotes is a great way to get excited about your goals. It can also provide a visual reminder of what you want to accomplish throughout the year, especially when you get discouraged. Hang yours up where you can see it often and feel motivated.
When making goals, make sure they are specific. If your goals are too vague, it will be easy to lose focus. Start a goal journal. Grab a notebook and write your goals down. I like to set goals in different areas of my life such as health, family, and finances. Write down the steps needed to accomplish your goals. There may be 2 steps or 20 steps…write them down. Make a note of how long you expect each step to take. Be realistic! It will help you clarify what needs to happen to make your goal a reality…and it will give you an idea on how long it will take.
Don’t get carried away, there is a fine line between being ambitious and being unrealistic. Don’t try to make too many goals at once. That will only create a stressful situation that can easily backfire and cause you to be less productive.
Your goal journal can not only be a place to write down your goals but also a place to write about your successes, progress, and struggles. Write down what obstacles are causing you problems and the solutions to help you overcome them. It’s also a great place to write down positive affirmations and rewards you plan to give yourself. You can record items you might need to purchase to help you accomplish your goals. Maybe you need new running shoes or a blender to make those morning smoothies. You can make a list of classes you want to take, new workouts to try, books to read, or blogs that have useful information.
Accountability is very helpful in accomplishing goals. Reach out to a positive, trust-worthy friend to discuss your goals with. Finding a goal buddy can be incredibly helpful. Sharing your goals can be a powerful motivator and a source of assistance when you are discouraged.
Create your new realty this year. Remember that life is full of choices and choosing your priorities determines your future. Consistency is the way you will create the life of your dreams, the life you crave!