How To Reset For The New Year
Take charge, feel empowered, and make a change.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Or maybe you want to begin taking self care or fitness more seriously. Whatever it is, find something that inspires you. Then find something that drives you to see this idea through. Inspiration and motivation are two separate columns. What inspires you does not always motivate you, and what motivates you might not always inspire you.
For example, if you have an idea to start a business or start focusing on your self care that might serve as the inspiration, but what is going to make this idea worth it? Will it be the look on your children’s face when you are able to accomplish it? Is there an older version of yourself that you would like to make proud by sticking to it?
The hardest part about making it happen for many, is being able to make the actual time to do it or keeping up with this new shift in routine. Let’s be honest with ourselves, when life wants to take you through it, it will and there is not always so much control in that. However, whatever we set as our goal for the New Year, we do have the power to make happen.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve. Progress is not linear. It is ok to start something, lose focus, and come back to it at a later time. It is also ok to start something, realize that it is not serving you and switch gears or alter the goal. The beauty of growth is allowing yourself grace and understanding that sometimes you have to navigate what is being thrown your way before you can return to focus on yourself.
To start, write down your New Year goals and be intentional in the wording you choose. “I will, I won’t, etc..” Then, list possible obstacles that may stand in your way such as (scheduling, work, children, family, etc) and then counter that with how you will navigate still accomplishing this goal if said obstacle comes up. For example, if my goal is to eat healthier and I know that one of my obstacles would be navigating my children’s schedules and long days filled with sports/ activities/chores then in order to help myself combat that, I might choose my most flexible day of the week to meal prep. I also might meal prep for the entire week instead of aiming for twice a week if I know my schedule can become unpredictable at times. So if I meal prep on Sunday then I start the week not having to worry about my own meals and can either focus solely on my children’s meals or include them in my meal prepping routine too if I please. I might meal prep enough food to get us through the week and then allow myself to rest on the weekends, eating what is available or choosing to eat out.
As for motivation, it would motivate me to have a productive week if I feel as though I am setting myself and/ or my children up for success and creating a less stressful environment for us to thrive in. Motivation could also stem from being able to spend more time with my children and focusing on other important activities all while noting that they are recieving all the nutrients they need.
The most important part of goal setting is also being realistic with yourself. While I may go strong and carry this routine on for a month or two, there may be weeks where I simply cannot find the time. That might result in microwavable meals or something quick and easy, but that is ok!!!!!! Goals are supposed to be set up to help make life easier, not provide unnecessary stress or create unrealistic expectations.
Place your goals somewhere you will have to see it often, that way even if you do fall off you can be held accountable when you see this list of goals. Also, share your goals with others. It helps to have someone ask how your goals are going or might even motivate someone to start reaching for their own or join into yours! Which leads me into my last point…. HAVE FUN or find a way to MAKE IT FUN! Imagine the possibilities if two moms were to get together to meal prep for their families. A little wine and dine never hurt anybody!
