Make your New Years Resolutions and Routines work for you

Don't overwhelm yourself with too many resolutions - Follow this simple method to ensure you stick with your goal this year

So often we write out too many new years resolutions and goals that we end up quitting a few weeks in. Trust me, I've been there many times myself. In my opinion there are two main problems with the resolutions we make: 1. We set far too many goals and 2. the goals are too ambitious because we do not provide ourselves with the steps that need to be taken or the quantitative means by which we plan to achieve them.

Two Step Method to Creating your Resolutions 

Step 1: Write out all your goals but then choose ONE that you consider top priority.

We cannot focus on everything at once, and often when we create too many new years resolutions or goals we expect ourselves to achieve that year we are unable to stick to them and that leaves us feeling defeated. Priority was a singular word until the beginning 21st century when it became the plural or "priorities." A priority can only be ONE thing because it is a priority! That means "most important." If you pick just one, the absolute most important goal, you will be able to focus all your energy on that single overarching priority and slowly everything I'll start to fall into place.


Step 2: Plan. Figure out what you need to be doing to start working towards that single goal and how you intend to measure it.

What is your chosen goal? What does your life look like as you work towards that goal? What does your life look like with the success of that goal? Write it all out!

Now, what are the sub-goals you can reach in working towards that big main goal? How much time and how often do you need to put focus and energy towards this goal? Make your goal measurable! Give yourself weekly to-dos, daily to-dos, or milestone marks so that you have a plan for how you will work towards the goal.

Now, the way you set this up is different for each goal and depends on the size and weight of the goal. If you want to spend more time with your kids and part of that is being home with them after school for dinner 3 times a week, then plan those days and schedule them in your calendar. Same with wanting to lose 5kg. Or even if you just want to exercise more. Plan what days, what time, what workouts, and then mark it in your calendar. Other bigger goals, like starting a business, will need more goal planning and goal measuring. A clear calendar plan, as well as milestone marks, may work best for you.

The "Everything will fall into place" mentality

I mentioned this at the end of step 1. This is important. When you can focus all of your energy toward your top priority goal then your other goals will follow. If you have a goal to lose 5kg, but also to spend more time with your kids, but also to make an hour for self-care on Sundays, but also to launch your new business, you will at least feel extremely stressed trying to achieve them all and do them all perfectly. Don't get me wrong, it is fantastic to write out your goals because it outlines how you want your life to be. But it will be difficult to give each goal all your energy when you have multiple to focus on.

Here's my example. Last year, I wanted to put more energy towards my blog. I did not realize that Instagram would be the way in for me. As I worked on my blog and shared posts on Instagram, I started connecting with people and my "brand" of my Instagram page shifted from personal to blog focused. It was fantastic to see and that is not something that was part of my goals. Additionally, people on Instagram started to reach out and we connected, creating a community and finding ways to elaborate. Everything started influencing the next thing and it began to snowball. Even if you have all goals on there of wanting to spend more time with family and also launching your business, maybe you end up realizing that launching your business from home does allow you more time with your family! On the other hand, if you are trying to launch your business and simultaneously incorporate a workout routine, it may be difficult to do either.

Work hard towards your one goal and allow the other things to find their place once you begin to master the main priority.

You can only show up for yourself when you give yourself a clear meaning of what "showing up" means

The most important thing to remember when creating resolutions is making them achievable. Yes, you want to challenge yourself and push yourself, but there are some things you cannot control. It is also important to understand the difference between goals and dreams. You should dream BIG! See yourself opening your own store, or running your business, or moving across the world. Imagine your best possible life and then dream even bigger!

Goals on the other hand, as the smaller to-do's that you can do daily that help you work towards your dreams. If you are confusing your dream with your goal, then you will always feel like you are falling short. Most dreams are a journey that happens over years of hard work. To stay motivated, you need to find the smaller wins in your day to day life or monthly achievements.

I'd love to hear what your goals are and how you are planning (literally) to reach them!  Share with me in the comments below or reach out to me on Instagram!