Happy New Year!
It's officially 2019, and I'm sure most everyone has a list or some idea of what they'd like to accomplish throughout this year.
The last week of December is usually the stillest for me. I spend most of the week between Christmas and New Year's meditating on everything that happened. I've always been an advocate for reflection. It's important to see how far you've come and how much you've achieved, especially in a time of hardships. To see you've beaten the hard times before and you can do it again–and to see that everything truly does work out in the end–helps set up the tone for the coming year.
But it's especially important when writing up resolutions for the new year.
I, like many others, take advantage of the new year to write up a list of goals. It gives focus and structure to the year, and specifically with the new year, a chance for change. But even with the opportunity to introduce healthy habits and the chance to leave everything that happened in the past year behind, I don't like the concept of "new year, new me".
I believe we should constantly be growing and building off of our experiences, good and bad, rather than trying to change completely. Instead, I focus on "new year, new mindset". There's no need to change who you are. Of course, there are definitely habits that you can integrate and take out to make your quality of life better. But it is your mindset, how you view and approach life, that will make a difference.
Focus more on creating a mindset you are proud of, one that is more resilient and focused. Leave no room for insecurities and negativity, and work towards your dreams. Don't try to be someone entirely different from your true self. Doing so is sacrificing authenticity. Grow from your mistakes, from the hardships, and see yourself as a flawed person because everyone is flawed. Acknowledging and embracing them is what will not only bring you success, but peace.
With that said, I, like many others, love the new year as a point of reflection and reset. Utilize the date to take action in making change in yourself and your life. Though you've most likely already written a list of goals you'd like to achieve and resolutions you'd like to implement, I wanted to share a selection of tips that I have gathered after a lot of research to ensure that you'll succeed in your goals and make the year your best year yet.
have a word of focus
One thing I have done this year to guide my list of resolutions is to think of a focus word to shape my year around. This word is what you want to primarily focus on this year like healthy, minimal, confident, explore, freedom, etc. Having a word of focus will remind you of your intentions throughout the year.
Mine wasn't too hard for me to choose after spending a lot of time reflecting on my year and exploring the causes of many downfalls. It is something I feel as though I've begun to slack on, yet become more interested in. This year I want to lead with intention in everything that I do, and so it only seemed fitting that my word of focus would be "Intention".
With your word, you can build your resolutions and goals. Of course, your entire list doesn't have to be built around your word. If there's an unrelated project you want to do or finish, you can still write it down–the word is simply a mantra.
get rid of old resolutions & challenge yourself
Focus on the new, not the old.
I've caught myself writing down the same resolutions from the past two years, and though it's nice to emphasize them, I found that I wasn't ever challenging myself. In order to create a better version of yourself, you have to push your own boundaries and explore goals outside of your comfort zone.
Growth is often uncomfortable, but without it, there is no progress and no change. Let this be the year you truly challenge yourself. If you've had a project that you've always wanted to do, do it. There is no better time than now to begin working towards your dreams.
be specific
I cannot emphasize this enough.
In addition to repeating the same goals, leaving no room for advancement and challenge, I wasn't being specific on why I had them on my list or how I was going to achieve them. They were just there.
Having goals without reason gives them no drive.
It's been shown in research that people who write goals with specific descriptions and steps to achievement are more likely to be successful in achieving their goals. This is because you've already figured out how to do it, making it easily attainable.
Every goal on your list must have a "why." Be intentional about why you write a resolution/goal on your list. Be picky, be precise, be specific.
take your time
You don't have to achieve all of your goals or be a master at all of your resolutions by the end of February. You have an entire year; take your time.
Specifically with resolutions, implement a couple every month. The whole reason for making resolutions is to make change. Avoid having them end back on next year's list of resolutions by taking your time on making them a part of you and what you do.
Over time they will become a part of what you do, and you'll be able to add more and have time to give to them so they too will become a part of what you do.
Of course, you are not going to achieve what you hope to if you don't act upon it. There will be low points—a part of life that no one can avoid— and you will lose motivation at times, and that's okay. But you have to be the one to choose to continue and move forward.
Spend the year cultivating a positive mindset and life full of healthy, proactive habits so that you may be the best you have ever been. The possibilities are endless.
Until next time,
take care.
Rachel xoxo
What's your opinion?