How to Set Goals and Stick to Them
Happy New Year yall! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and even better year. My 2023 was a crazy rollercoaster ride.
It's that time of year again. The time we set our goals and resolutions for the new year just to forget all about them in just a couple of months.
Sticking to our goals can be a struggle for a lot of us if we aren't going about it the right way. Saying it outload to everyone won't make it stick. It's better to set smaller goals that lead up to your overall goal or resolution. Instead of saying I want to live a healthier lifestyle, break down what that means to you. Eating better, eating out less, less junk and processed foods. Maybe working out or going on a daily walk.
There are several things that I do to achieve my goals every year. I'm not perfect. I definitely was doing really well the first half of 2023 but sunk it the second half. Although that happened, I was still able to achieve a lot of my goals. I know I have it in me. And if I have it in me so, do you. Here are my goal setting secrets that helped me to achieve my goals for the new year.
1. Vision board
There are a couple ways you can make a vision board. You can do it the traditional way which is using a foam board and adding your photos to it. I've done it this way for years, but it never worked out for me. Mainly because it was too big, and I only got to see it when I was home. I needed a way to see it 24/7 to stay on track.
That takes us to a digital vision board. I learned about this from a YouTube video I was watching about personal growth. All you need to make your digital vision board are Canva and Pinterest. You can create a lot of things on Canva for free. Create a photo collage using photos on Pinterest that resonates with your goals. You can put as much or as little photos and quotes as you want.
Now this is the part that helps you stay focused on your goals. Read closely! When you are done save your vision board as your wallpaper and lock screen of your phone and computer. Now you will see it all the time because let's face it we are all glued to our phones nowadays.
2. Write down your goals
Writing down your goals will always be a great idea. You have something legible to look back on in the mornings during your quiet time or as you get ready for your day and at night before going to bed. What is also nice is that you can cross things off that you have accomplished as you go through the year.
3. Give yourself grace
It's so amazing to see how much we can really accomplish if we give ourselves a real chance at change and growth. Whatever you didn't get to accomplish is okay. Give yourself some grace and just continue on that path into the following year. Where people go wrong is thinking they have to accomplish everything in one year and that is not only untrue but unrealistic depending on your goals and the time you have to work on them each day.
4. Stay true to yourself
Like I said above, set yourself up for successful by setting smaller more specific goals to achieve your overall resolution or bigger goal for the year. You have to know exactly what you want to do before you go into the year or you're just going to get stuck and quit. Stop following what everyone else is doing and do what really works for you. Change and adapt someone's advice to fit into your lifestyle and to fit your personality. You know what you will do and not do so don't lie to yourself.
5. Sacrifice
Becoming a better version of yourself will include sacrifice. Some sacrifices may be small, and some may be huge. Don't let those roadblocks stop you from getting to your final destination. Everything we do in life comes with sacrifices. Learning to say no is healthy for your wellbeing. Trust me. I learned the hard way. I pulled myself thin saying yes to everyone. Sometimes I would double book and would still try to make things work. Don't do it to yourself. It isn't worth the headache and stress.
These are the few simple steps I take every year to reach my goals and become a better version of myself. Now it is you turn. You are worthy of more and better outcomes.
xoxo Essence