No Resolutions for Me!
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE working towards a goal and I do set intentions! However, for me, I enjoy setting goals at any time of the year. I used to be all about New Year, New Me but over time I’ve changed my stance on this. I’d forget my goals and ask myself why I set a goal in the first place. I’d feel like a failure because I didn’t follow through. I figured out my motivation was mostly external to what society is doing, the motivation was external and temporary, I wasn’t truly committed, and I’d quit. Seasons like New Years are nice for inspiration and have a purpose (like a great time to purge and organize my home!), but what really keeps us going is our own desire and discipline to crush a goal.
So, before you jump on the New Year’s Resolution train, consider your mindset around the goals you are setting:
- Are you truly clear and bought in to the goal?
- Why this goal?
- How will you achieve the goal?
- What does success look like related to the goal?
- Are your goals in line with your own internal growth desires or are they based on external factors (i.e. what your spouse is doing, what society tells us, what your best friend wants to do)?
It not just you, I’ve allowed this too many times to count. This year, I decided to let those impromptu thoughts pass in the moment and later sat and brainstormed, “What does Meaghan really want?” I also had a nice conversation at the firepit with my husband to discuss family and financial goals. I also use my intentions to guide some of my goals. For example, last year my intention in 2024 was to be unapologetic (unapologetically me). It was meant as a reminder for me to be truly ME and not apologize for it (being a people pleaser). This allowed me to say no more to things I didn’t find joy in and to help me set boundaries in various areas in my life.
No matter what your goal is, you can still have one and not call it a “New Year’s Resolution.” I’m currently in the process of strategically planning my goals for the 1st quarter of 2024. Why only for Q1 for me?
- It allows me to zoom in on fewer goals, knowing I have more time in the year for the other goals
- I can prioritize goals (taking on too much change at once isn’t a good idea)
- 90 days isn’t permanent
- It lets me tweak my goal if necessary without feeling like I’ve “fallen off.” (Yes, I know that failure is only if you give up completely, not get up and try again. But for many, this is still their mindset if they don’t accomplish a goal to a T.)
So, instead of rushing to get all of your unhealthy habits/“cheats” out of the way over the next 2 days and/or agreeing to goals set by someone else, don’t rush it to start on New Year’s Day!
How to Figure Out What I Want?
- Block 30 minutes today or tomorrow and sit alone, in the quiet to let your thoughts flow.
- Write down any ideas that come to mind representing goals you have. Anything that comes to mind, just jot it down.
- Categorize the above ideas into Faith, Health/Fitness, Financial, Marital/Relational, Parenthood, Community, etc. to help you prioritize later. Remember, goals that involve other people (relational, parenthood), make time to talk with your partner about those goals to discuss and align – not doing this is a sure fire way to not hit a goal!
If you want help on visioning what’s is important to you and setting goals, contact me today to schedule a 1-hour one-on-one session with me to get a strategic plan in place.
You Got This!
