A Fresh Start that Won’t Leave you Stopped…

It’s a new year!!! What does that mean for us? We don’t really know what the future holds, but we do know that we can make a fresh start with the beginning of a new year. If you are in the process of making some New Year’s resolutions, I have some thoughts for you, because I want you to be successful in making them come to fruition. This is very doable, however, there is a bit of skill involved to make it all happen.

So I’ve put together a few helpful tips I’ve learned along the way that are simple, but effective. If you practice them all year long, they will help you reach your goals with a better attitude and more confidence.

Ready? Here we go:

1). Be kind to yourself. Please! Overloading the cart will get you nowhere but discouraged. It’s a huge bummer that no one appreciates. So be really intentional and realistic about your energy vs. your goals. Which brings me to the next one.

2). Resolutions vs. Goals. There is a clear distinction. Resolutions can be overwhelming and tend to have an expiration date. That usually happens somewhere between April and May when we realize we set expectations that weren’t actually in the realm of possibility. I totally get it though! When a new year starts I have so many high hopes, and I don’t want to leave any of them out. It’s hard to realize that slow growth is the only way to sustainable growth. Let me say it again because this is key.

Slow, intentional growth is the only way to sustainable growth.

Why spend the energy building an empire that will crumble before getting halfway there? We’ve all done it. Heck, if I’m being honest, I’m tempted to do it now. What’s stopping me is the knowledge of what burn out feels like. And the fact that I never want to experience it ever again!

3). Don’t listen to those negative voices in your head. When I hear the inevitable voices in my head whisper that I’m behind, I do my best to shut them up. Remember, we are all at the exact place we are supposed to be, even though it doesn’t seem like it at times. Life gets in the way, sometimes often, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t meant to. I mean, how do you know that surprise visit from a relative you weren’t expecting didn’t save you from something awful happening during your normal routine?

Stay positive and believe only the best is happening to you at any given time, and it will keep you on top.

4). Don’t let the challenges get the upper hand. We may feel small at times, but the truth is that we are in charge of our environment. We set the tone and the pace. When issues pile up, we may not be able to stop them, but we don’t have to let them get the better of us. Take a breath, then tell yourself you are still in charge of how you’re going to respond to them. Nothing can change that simple fact, and when you focus on it, it’s very empowering.

5). Revisit your goals often, and if you see something isn’t working, adjust it. There’s nothing wrong with checking in and getting a fresh perspective as you go forward. Some of the most successful people I know do this a lot, and it’s the difference between make or break. You’re not going to be looked at as a failure if you have to change things up. In fact, you will be respected for recognizing that change is needed.

6). Celebrate the wins and reward yourself! Oh my goodness, it took me a while to figure this one out. It’s just so important to document your journey so you can see what a bad-ass you really are! You are doing and juggling many things, so stop and give yourself a pat on the back here and there. In addition, get that magazine you’ve been wanting, pick-up dinner instead of making it, or pour yourself that glass of wine and relax.

Do something special for yourself to stop and mark the successes. It will give you strength and motivation to get to the next step.

Those are the things I do to stay on the positive side of my goals. It’s not easy, but with some effort it works. I hope these tips and reminders were helpful, and gave you new motivation to set goals that will leave you encouraged, not exhausted. When all is said and done, the thought of your future should leave you enthused for the next chapter.

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Here’s to getting and staying on top in 2022!