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Are you one of the millions of people that set out to be a better version of yourself in the new year? For many, the spirit of personal change is at its peak the moment the clocks strike midnight and signal the beginning of a new, fresh calendar year. Guarantee goal-setting success and use these tips to ensure you approach this round of new year’s resolutions with intention, purpose, and personal prosperity in mind.
They Should Prompt Reflection
If you set new year’s goals for 2021 that you weren’t able to accomplish, take heart. It’s important to remember that every goal you set for yourself, whether you realized it or not, was formed from a place of self-determination and self-love.
Ultimately, be kind to yourself. Rather than scold yourself for not reaching last year’s goals, take the opportunity to examine what worked, what didn’t, and how you can set yourself up for success this time with all the tools and skills you did develop throughout the year. You are, after all, an older and wiser version of yourself this time around.
They Should Be Attainable
The vast majority of new year’s resolutions fall away by the end of January largely because they’re often unreasonable or place too much pressure for change in a short amount of time.
While long-term or big-step goals and resolutions are admirable, your new year’s resolutions should focus on actionable change that you can accomplish within a calendar year, and ideally on a daily or weekly basis. Sit down to consider where you’d like to be several years from now, and try to break that down into smaller goals that feel sustainable for where you are today.
They Should Encourage Better Habits
The best goals are set with the intent to shift your mindset and improve who you already are, not to transform you into a different person. Whether it’s saving an extra 10% of your paycheck each month for a larger retirement goal or spending an extra 20 minutes at the gym each day as part of a grander fitness goal, your resolutions should take your current lifestyle and habits in mind and push you to do just a little bit better each day.
They Should Be Personal
Goal-setting is a personal practice, but too often outside influences can shape your goals to align with external expectations rather than what your inner voice is telling you. The new year is a time to exercise complete self-trust. If a fitness goal doesn’t seem right for your new year’s resolutions, for example, stick to categories that will help you to evolve in ways that will make you feel healthier, happier, and more comfortable in your own skin–and only you can determine what that means to you.
They Should Be Time-Based
Your resolutions shouldn’t feel rushed, but you should also give yourself a few time boundaries to ensure your own success. If your aim is to complete a project that’s been sitting on the back burner for several months, clarify each step you need to take to complete it and set a time frame in which you’d like to accomplish these smaller tasks.
By setting small deadlines for yourself as part of a larger picture, you hold yourself accountable and, at the same time, give yourself enough time to work on things that really matter to you.
They Should Include Rewards
While your own success is reward enough, it helps to find healthy, relevant, and simple ways to pat yourself on the back along the way, too. Progress is its own reward, but every step you take is a reason to celebrate. You’re investing in the best version of yourself by setting out to make your dreams a reality and you’re more likely to enjoy the journey if you find special ways to boost and encourage yourself every step of the way. Plus, you’ll be able to ride the momentum of success when it’s time to sit down next year, giving you an even greater reason to celebrate.
