Here we go again—it’s January 1, 2024, and everyone is excited about having been granted another year to correct last year’s bad habits. Do you want to lose weight? Starting January 1st; you’ll find everyone at the local gym. Want to eat healthier? Consider hiring a nutritionist to create a family menu. Looking to improve your attitude or achieve spiritual growth? Let’s meet at the church for watch-hour prayers. I’m sure if you start the year off with prayer, the rest of the year will flow seamlessly.
But here’s the question: Why do people put themselves through the same motions every year, knowing that by December 31st, they’ll feel just as depressed, unhealthy, and unproductive as they did the year before? Businesses will remain unstarted, marriages will remain unattained, and your presence at church might have dwindled since January.
So, why do people persist in setting themselves up for disappointment year after year? Are they motivated enough? Were they mentally prepared for change? Were their goals and intentions realistic? If any of these shortcomings apply, it’s time to sit down, reevaluate, and prioritize making this year truly different.
Be Realistic!
The plan for this new year can be summed up with one word: **REALISTIC**. Too often, people attempt to change habits cold turkey, ignoring the fact that transforming bad habits into good ones takes time. There will be drawbacks—days when you relapse, cheat, hurt, or simply lack the energy to push forward. These obstacles are inevitable, so why expect an overnight transformation? Instead, allow your physical reality to catch up with your mental plans. Take things one day at a time and exercise patience when things don’t go as expected. Being too hard on yourself may lead to discouragement, tempting you to give up before giving yourself that “grand old try.” The key is to stay realistic, push through, and keep going, even on tough days.
Write It Down!
The first step toward being realistic with your New Year’s goals is to write them down. Your goals could be anything—eating healthier, losing weight, organizing your home, purchasing a new house, paying off debts, eliminating toxic environments, going back to school, finding a new job, or starting your dream business. It’s evident that people have plenty to accomplish in a year, so prioritize by putting your goals in writing. I’ve learned that keeping a daily planner is invaluable for remembering tasks and staying on track. You can check off completed tasks throughout the day and revisit unaccomplished ones the next day. Don’t get discouraged if some goals take longer—goals for the year, two to five years, or even decades can all start with a single written step. Write down every desire, big or small.
Be Patient!
Many of the goals you list will likely take longer than a year to achieve. For example, buying a new home usually requires years of saving for a down payment, monitoring your credit score, working with a real estate agent, handling negotiations and inspections, navigating escrow, signing the deed, and, finally, getting the keys. The process demands patience and persistence. Success doesn’t happen overnight.
Make Your Goals Doable!
Another crucial aspect of being realistic is ensuring that your goals are achievable. Let’s be honest—we don’t have superhero capes on our backs. I’m a middle-aged single mother of three, which means my resolutions must be calculated and fit within my busy schedule of work, my children’s needs (doctor visits, school functions, emergencies), and everyday life. Neglecting my children in pursuit of my resolutions wouldn’t make sense, and the same applies to your situation. Your resolutions must be doable and realistic.
Stay Motivated!
As adults, life happens—and our carefully laid plans can get derailed. Emergencies such as illness, death, job changes, or major purchases can disrupt even the best-laid plans. Thankfully, you’ve written down your resolutions, right? This allows you to return to your goals when life happens and pulls you off course. Motivation to change will always lead you back.
Believe in Yourself!
What’s that whisper in your ear? A naysayer? It’s likely your self-doubt. By now, you’ve eliminated toxic people from your life—so if you’re still doubting your ability to achieve your resolutions, the problem lies with you. Stop holding yourself back! Have faith in your abilities and trust that the desires of your heart are meant for fulfillment. Doubting yourself is like questioning the universe or God’s plan for your growth. While not everyone will have a support system or mentor, the determination to achieve your goals ultimately comes from within. Life will present storms, setbacks, and detours—but you’ve already taken the first step toward change by deciding this year will be different. Achieving meaningful resolutions requires patience, realistic planning, motivation, and a strong belief in your abilities. Step out of your comfort zone and trust your path, all while praying for continued guidance.
Conclusion
While the journey of achieving New Year’s resolutions often feels repetitive, it serves as a powerful reminder of our drive for growth and self-improvement. Success lies in being realistic, patient, and flexible while remaining motivated and true to oneself. By embracing gradual progress and nurturing faith in our abilities, setbacks become opportunities for growth—and lasting change becomes achievable.
Below are some activities to jumpstart your New Year’s resolution goals and set yourself up for success:
- Create a Vision Board: Visualize your goals by gathering images, quotes, and reminders that inspire you and display them prominently.
- Set SMART Goals: Make your resolutions specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound to provide clarity and focus.
- Join a Support Group: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals to share progress, challenges, and encouragement.
- Start a Journal: Document your resolutions, progress, and reflections daily or weekly to stay motivated and accountable.
- Try Mini Challenges: Break your resolutions into small, manageable tasks that can be completed weekly or monthly.
- 6. Enlist a Mentor: Seek guidance or advice from someone who has successfully achieved similar goals.
- Take a Workshop or Class: Learn new skills or gain knowledge that aligns with your resolutions.
- Declutter and Organize: Create a fresh, organized environment to clear your mind and make room for growth.
- Practice Self-Care: Invest in your physical and mental health to maintain energy and focus throughout the year.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and reward yourself for the milestones you achieve, no matter how small.
Would you like to start this year off fresh? Let’s start with a daily journal
That’s Cathy’s Perspective!
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