10 Tips for a Better Year of Goals
Hello 2018! Happy New Year everyone! The New Year is upon us and just like many, it’s a good time to check in and evaluate yourself. 10 Tips for a Better Year of Goals is a great way to do just that. 2018 is a big year for us. Well, a big birthday year for me and a big anniversary year for me and my husband. Ten years ago, I thought 2018 seemed so far away. But finally arriving to this year has made me realized, time is flying too fast and time is truly precious. This year, I strive to be more present in the moment. Present with my kids, present with my husband, present with my family and friends. I am definitely one who can get distracted. It doesn’t matter how big or small your goal is, you can do it. Last year, I posted an awesome list of 10 New Year’s Goals Everyone Needs to Make. I still stand by that list, and have to say it’s a tough one to follow, but I truly feel like when I was good at following *most* of that list. But definitely not all. When I did even just some of it, I felt the most happiest and satisfied in my day’s work. Following through on goals can be tough, and so often are not achievable or forgotten about through out the year. So I wanted to suggest what I have found to be helpful in my life are 10 Tips for a better year of goals. These can jump start your year and help to eliminate distractions that make it hard to achieve those goals.
10 Tips for a Better Year of Goals
- Reflect on the Last Year. Look back at what you did last year and compare it to your goals this year. Learn from experience last year to help evaluate what your goals are for this year. Take some time to look through the past calendar and your daily schedule. Find out how your time was spent and whether you need to refocus your time in other areas. What did you learn? Write down your feeling and disappointments from the past year and how you want to change.
- Choose a Word or Phrase to Define This Year. I love this idea and see it among friends who have family or personal phrases that they choose each year. By choosing a single word or phrase, it becomes in the forefront on your mind and defines all your goals of the year in one idea. Have that phrase or word, printed out and put it somewhere where you can see it every day. Mine this year is “be in the moment”. Some other words are inspire, challenge, trust, uplight, etc. What is your word or phrase for the year?
- Procrastination! Ouch. Did I just say that? I know. It’s a word I despise. It’s such an evil word, BUT everyone procrastinates in some way– if it’s cleaning something out or tackling the bills or writing that thank you note. Try so hard not to procrastinate. Make a list and DO it! Complete everything on your daily to-do list before you can sit down and watch that favorite TV show or jumping on your phone to catch up on social media. You will feel more productivity and in return will feel like you can tackle that goal list. I am definitely guilty of procrastination. It’s something I am working on all the time. But when I complete that list, I feel like I can take on my goals with no distraction.
- Get rid of the clutter. I don’t know about you, but if my office is a mess and clutter is everywhere, it’s harder for me to get work done. It also takes me double the amount of time to finish a project because I am searching for that one particular item. Take the time to organize that closet, drawer, or office space and get rid of the clutter. You will feel clean, refreshed and a weight will be lifted off of you. If it’s too much to tackle clutter all at once, start by spending 15 minutes per day decluttering or getting rid of 10 things a day for the first month. You will see that makes progress.
5. Make your bed every morning. You may think this sounds silly, but I have found when my bed is made and my room is tidy up, I get a better night’s sleep, which in turn helps me to be productive during the day. Take the time to make your bed every morning. You will be happy when you enter your room. Remember, your room is a sanctuary so if there is clutter and piles of clothes and a mess, clean it up. Organize or unload what you are not using.
6. Start a Gratitude Journal. Last year I included journaling every night. But I think including in your journal all the things you are grateful for for that day will show how much you have been blessed throughout the year and how much we actually do complete every year. Often times we finish the year out and think we didn’t complete everything we wanted too for the year or it wasn’t as successful, but in actuality we are successful in other ways or more successful from the previous year. Baby steps. It’s nice to have a gratitude journal to remind us on those things we so often forget.
7. Be happy. This is simple phrase, but be happy. Happy in your life, in the daily grind, in relationship and even in your trials. Find the good in the bad and in little things. Just be happy. I definitely believe in positive energy and attracting good chakra waves, which in turn brings joy and peace. This goes hand in hand with #2 on my list from last year.
8. Stay in the Know. Whether it’s taking a class, learning a new skill or staying up on the daily news. Simply stay in the know. Know what is happening around you in your community, schools or on a national level. Also, stay in the know with taking a new class or trying out a new hobby. Read up on something you aren’t quite familiar with or even picking up a book you’ve heard is good. Whatever it is, stay in the know. This will give you the confidence to stay up on your goal list and will keep your brain energized.
9. Do a month or two of a Spending Diet. I’ve done this a few times with my friends, and it’s actually quite fun. And it was great to have a support system too. You figure out ways to spend less or nothing at all for a month or two. Obviously necessary items aren’t apart of the spending diet, but unnecessary items are. Items like going out, eating out, spending money on clothes or extracurricular activities, etc. Then you take that money and save it or pay off debt. You will feel more accomplished and financially secure, which in turn helps you to focus on your goals.
10. Take care of your Health. This is so important and goes well with my #1 from my last year goal list. If you are sick, not feeling well or chronically tired, how can you focus on goals? Take care of your health. Visit a doctor if needed. Cut out sugar. Get on a diet. Exercise. Whatever it takes to get better! Focus on you and your health then focus on completing your yearly goals. That should be your first priority always.
SHOP THE POST:
I love New Year’s print calendars. I usually have a few around the house like one in my office, kitchen and children’s rooms. They are my favorite and I love to gift them over the holidays. I take the prints from the previous years and usually frame them. Here are a few for this year.
