What are the secrets of keeping those new years resolutions or really any new goal?
Personally, I’m feeling overwhelmed by all the possibilities for this new year. There is so much happening for us like buying and building a Clayton home, packing and moving from our apartment, starting spring semester of college, going on an epic Disney World vacation/honeymoon, buying an RV, purchasing a second car, moving out of the Springs and to Florissant Colorado, and starting the process of getting me pregnant, just to name a few. I mean holy hell!
Despite it being so soon into the new year I am starting to feel completely overwhelmed, a little unmotivated, and I know I am not alone.
Here are 5 tips that can really help!
One – Understand Motivation
Ever notice when an idea or goal is brand new that it’s fresh and takes on a majority of our focus, but then with time, we give it less and less attention? Motivation doesn’t come to us in never-ending doses. It fluctuates, it appears really high at some points and not at all during others. It requires a little work from us to maintain our importance and devotion.
The best way I’ve found to do this is to lay down a good foundation of reasons why, visualize my intended outcome, and keep all that close in mind. Have reminders of what you are doing and why it is so important you accomplish it. Plan for the dips in your motivation by renewing your passion for the goal.
Two – Make a plan and lay down a solid foundation for your goals
Why does your goal matter to you? Why should you put in any effort to make it a reality? Your answers to these questions are vital so give it some time to have a good grasp on your reason. Anticipate your motivation dips, then have strong enough answers to combat them.
Give yourself a reasonable amount of time. One day at a time, we will keep moving to make all our dreams, for this year, become our reality. All these things won’t happen in a big leap, “hope you’re ready,” kind of thing so plan on that. Allow yourself time.
Plan in a way that accommodates those fluctuations in motivation by preparing for the good times and the bad. Set yourself up with some smaller short term goals that you can reach along the way.
For example, I need to focus on what I can control at the moment like getting the apartment packed and cleaned, focusing on my continued weight loss and overall well-being, finishing up plans for the upcoming vacation, and setting myself up for a successful semester. Giving myself small steps for each like exercising and getting movement every day and setting up my daily planner for my upcoming courses allows me to see my effort is achievable.
When things are broken down into smaller steps it keeps you from feeling hopelessly overwhelmed. It is also important to give yourself achievable tasks to reignite your motivation as crossing off some to-do items acts as a reward system. Feel free to add in some self-care rewards along the way by doing something you enjoy like going to see a new movie or treat yourself to lunch at your favorite restaurant.
Know it will get tough and you will want to give up, so give yourself reminders why you should keep going when you reach those roadblocks.
Three – Visualize the outcome and hone your focus
Paint yourself a mental picture of what achieving your goal will look like. How will it feel to reach your milestone? What will come of it? When motivation starts to dip low, remind yourself of this image. These reasons for all your work could make-or-break your ability to get where you are going.
Four – Renewing your passion
Continue to add to your reasons why. They could be small things like losing weight to buy a cute top you just found or larger such as continuing education to gain a job you enjoy where you will be with like-minded people.
Don’t allow yourself to forget that passion and devotion you add at the beginning stages. Keep it fresh in your mind. If it was so important to you then, it will continue to hold importance no matter how long ago it has been. Remind yourself of this as often as possible. Make it fun and important again.
Five – Don’t give up!
Making lasting changes won’t likely be an easy process. It will most likely be a challenge for you to achieve. If it were so easy to change, you would have done it those other ten times you said you would. Forsee your challenges so you can start concurring them before they even come.
Those are my tips on reaching goals. Hopefully, they will help in your next pursuit. No matter where you are going, I wish you the absolute best in getting there.