Ok! By now you probably have a number of things you are putting down on your list of resolutions, or at least have an idea of what you want to be working towards this year. So, let’s put all of this renewed energy we came into the new year with to good use, and start how you want to finish! We have all fallen victim to starting off the year really strong, and then after a few weeks, we fall right back into our old habits. Let’s change that this year!  

Start off strong and with the intention to accomplish your goals for the year! Below are three tips that have helped me drastically change my approach to accomplishing goals; they have helped me to see them through, without giving up in less than a month.  

First, assess where you currently are in comparison to where you want to be. Are you currently halfway to accomplishing your goals, or are we starting a little closer to ground zero? Either answer is ok! The point is to understand where our starting point is, so we can set our goals accordingly.  

Second, shoot for bite-sized benchmarks. Now that we have assessed our starting point, it is important to be realistic with the goals we set. Now, this may sound a little pessimistic or negative, but hear me out! A lot of times, we set HUGE goals without ever really thinking about how we are going to reach them or if they are realistic. Then, we end up giving up a few weeks into our goals because we are discouraged either at the lack of progress, or how much work it is actually going to take to accomplish it. Let’s just eliminate all of that disappointment at the beginning! Aim for bite-sized goals based on where you currently are, and I promise you will accomplish more than you thought you could. For example, if you don’t currently work out regularly, let’s not make a goal of being able to run 3 miles in 90 days. Instead, let’s start by running 2-3 times a week with the end goal of being able to finish 1 mile by June. That way, you start small and work your way up. By incorporating running into your schedule 2-3 times a week, it will allow you to ease your way into the new routine while also working it into your regular schedule. With June as your benchmark, it will give you enough time (between January to June) to see how the routine works for you and how much work you have to do, to reach 1 mile. If you reach 1 mile during the month of June, you have won! If you reach 1 mile before June, you still win, and you can continue to add to your goal. Bite-sized goals are more productive and motivational due to the success rate. Small wins are still a win! 

My final tip to you is discipline. That is your word of the year. Discipline. No matter how small the goal is, success does not come without discipline and effort. You are going to have to put in the work to see the results, so let’s dig deep and start how we want to finish! It is ok to ease your way into your goals, but you have to start, and start intentionally. You can’t continue to put off starting your goals and expect to accomplish anything. No more “starting next week.” Start this week, so you can start to see results.  

Your ticket to success this year is written by assessing your starting point, setting bite-sized goals, and becoming more disciplined. This is going to be the year you accomplish your goals, so start strong and with the intention needed to succeed! 

“Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” -Thomas Jefferson 

Links that can also help achieve your New Year’s goals:  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXJoB1lr0Hd/