Goals for the New Year – 5 Ways to Kick Start Them!

Here we are in the last week of December…and the last week of 2020 – yay for that!  Like most of you, I usually spend part of this last week setting goals for the new year.  It’s always a great time to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the future.  2021 just has to be better than 2020, right?

So, whether you have decided on some fitness goals for the new year or are planning to lose a few quarantine pounds (like me), this week is a great time to do some goal prep work.  Hopefully, some of my goal setting ideas will motivate you (and me) so we don’t end up quitting everything by the second week of January!

Here are some ways to kick start your goals for the new year…

1.  Look Back to Look Forward:

If you’re like me, you find it helpful to look back at past accomplishments to get you motivated.  Even though we’ve been home most of the year, many of us have learned new things without even realizing it. 

Think about it, did you use Zoom or any other video conferencing before 2020?  Did you know how to order food from an app before?  Had you ever cut your husband’s or kids’ hair before this year?  And here’s the biggie…did you ever think you could navigate the world of home schooling?  Well, it’s time to pat yourself on the back for the many things you’ve accomplished this year!  If you want, make a list of those things to remind yourself of your achievements!

2.  Start with Something Simple For an Easy Win:

Now that we know you’ve accomplished so much, let’s ease into something easy yet doable.  Like many of us, sometimes I feel like I can’t move forward with my goals if I have a bunch of necessary tasks hanging over my head.  Or maybe I just use that as an excuse!  Either way, I find if I finish something simple, I feel motivated to do even more.

Take for instance, the Christmas thank you cards.  For some reason, I tend to put off writing them.  Honestly, I have no idea why I procrastinate on this.  It’s not that I don’t appreciate the gifts.  I guess I just want to send some kind of witty and meaningful thank you message to match the thought my friends or family have put into my gifts.  Silly, I know but that’s what goes through my mind!

Well, I’m happy to announce that I’m mailing my thank you cards out today!  Seriously, it feels so good to have them all written out so I can check that off my list!  

3.  Set the Stage for Success:

And by “stage”, I mean the room or space where you plan to work your magic in the new year! 

Let’s say one of your goals for the new year is to try one new recipe each week.  Well, if your pantry and spice rack are a disaster, you’re not going to be very motivated to carry out that cooking goal!  So, start by organizing one small area.  Tell yourself you’ll organize just one pantry shelf today.  I’ll bet that you’ll feel so good getting one shelf in order that you’ll move onto another.  By the time you’re ready to start your new year recipe goals, you’ll be ready.  Plus, you’ll have a clean pantry and you can check that off as an accomplishment for the new year!

For me, I need to get my home office in order again! 

(my home office in neater times)

Since I spend so many hours each day blogging and doing household managing tasks in there, it needs to be an inspiring place.  Plus, I use my office for wrapping presents and assembling my Christmas decorating projects.  You can only imagine what the room looks like at the moment… Though, I have been chipping away at the mess each day.  Baby steps…

If you’ve already packed away your Christmas decorations, here are some tips to transition from Christmas to winter decor.  

4.  Use This Time to Explore:

Who says you have to commit to your New Year’s goals the second the clock strikes midnight?  Use this week and the next several weeks exploring new ideas.  Take an online class, read up on new careers, research hobbies or even try something new.  

Instead of thinking of commitments, think of possibilities.  If we learned anything in 2020, we realized that nothing is certain.  

5.  Make a Small List of Goals – Write Them Down:

After being cooped up in the house all year, many of us might get a little too ambitious with our new year’s goals.  In my experience, I find that setting just a few small goals works better than writing a huge list.  Sometimes, just looking at that list can be daunting!  Instead, set just a small list of goals – and make sure you write them down! 

Hopefully, my simple ideas will help you reach your goals for the new year! 

Let’s kick 2020 to the curb and make 2021 the best year yet!  While you’re in the goal setting – planning mode, here are some things you can do now to make next Christmas easier!  Now your whole year can be a success!

Wishing you and your loved ones and happy and healthy new year! 

Cheers!

Have you started exploring your goals for the new year?

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