New Years
Ah, New Year’s. A time to celebrate, and then a time to get down to business. Every year we make a new list of goals, but then we forget about them a few months later. This year I can confidently say I completed all of my goals. I have never done that before, but here is how I did it. 
Do you actually want to do this?
My first tip is to create a goal that you actually want to accomplish. When you do something that you don’t want to do, it feels like a chore. Goals should be something motivating and satisfying to work on. You also have to set reminders for yourself. I wrote my goals down on a piece of paper and put them where I would always see them. In my book, in my journal, on my desk. It’s easy to forget about the goals we set if we don’t remind ourselves.
SMART Goals
Goals should be realistic. Ever heard of SMART goals, well they actually work. It stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. Instead of saying you want to be healthy, get more specific. How will you do that? Will you go on a run every morning, lift weights three times a week, eat healthier? Pick something and narrow it down. You also need to be able to measure the goal. How else will you know that you accomplished it? Make a chart for going to the gym, something that you can check off every day.
You also need to pick something attainable and realistic for you. If you hate running and you know it’s not going to be fun, don’t pick running. Pick a goal that applies to you and helps you personally be better. You need to be honest with yourself that this goal can happen.
Different goals also take different amounts of time to accomplish. Pick a goal that you know can happen within a year.
For more information on smart goals, click here.
Need Ideas?
With that said, here is a list of goals that will help you become a better person by the end of the year.
- Read one book a month
- Create a consistent healthy morning routine
- Go outside in the mornings
Go on a walk every day- Eat healthier foods
- Go to the gym three times a week
- Write in a gratitude journal every day
- Smile at a stranger every day
- Give more compliments
- Go out of your comfort zone
- Spend more quality time with your loved ones
Be Specific
I hope that as you read this list, you noticed which ones were smart goals and which ones weren’t. When you want a consistent and healthy morning routine, what does that look like? Do you wake up at a certain time, do you journal, do you eat breakfast right away, etc. Pick a few things that you want in your daily routine and write them down, so that you can check them off every day.
If you want to eat healthier, what does that look like? Does it mean you cut out fast food and soda, or are you learning to cook healthy meals at home? Be specific. Click here for tips on how to be healthy while eating out in Rexburg.
If you want to go out of your comfort zone, how will you do that? Will you try something new, talk to someone you don’t know, try a new hobby? Write down specific ways you can do this so that you know it’s accomplished.
Starting to get the picture? At first, you need to be very specific so that you can check it off of your list, but eventually, all of these things will become habits and you won’t even have to think about it.
New Years Goals look different for everybody. We are all different and want different things. It’s never too late to start either. It doesn’t have to be January 1st to become the person that you want to be. Goals allow us to become better people and improve. Setting goals gives us something to work towards. So here’s to 2024 and becoming the best version of yourself!