Making realistic new year’s goals and how to achieve them

I’ve always hated the term ‘new year new me’ as I think it fosters the idea that the ‘me’ of last year (or twelve days ago) somehow wasn’t enough and that a new version is needed. I prefer the term ‘new year improved me’, notably less catchy so I get why it hasn’t caught on…
As much as I protest the ‘new year new me’ line I think the idea behind it is actually pretty handy and there’s something refreshing and renewing about setting some new, realistic goals, at the start of the year. But I do think these goals need to be realistic, achievable and positive and in a range of areas in your life. Phoebe Lovatt in The Working Woman’s Handbook suggests making professional goals, habitual goals and personal goals; making some for the year and others on a monthly and weekly basis. Think about what you will realistically be able to achieve, set aside time daily, weekly, or monthly to dedicate time to achieve these goals and reward yourself when you progress.

If you’re into fitness or going to the gym, perhaps set some goals in terms of what you want to be able to lift or run in a month, six months, and a years time. Setting smaller, more manageable goals and tasks to do means you’re more likely to be able to achieve them and thus feel accomplished rather than disappointed when you’ve set unrealistic goals you’ve been unable to achieve.

Set positive goals. By this I mean work on improvement rather than drastic change; cutting things out completely or setting extreme weight loss goals are harder to achieve as they are more extreme and create temporal change rather than positive, lasting change.  Work to your strengths rather than your weaknesses and try to be better at something rather than trying to not do something.

Remember to reward yourself and to treat yourself well in all aspects of your life and don’t beat yourself up if you miss a target or don’t finish a task, instead see the positives in what you have done and perhaps readjust your goals to make them seem more achievable. Most importantly have fun with them and make sure all the goals you work towards are all ultimately working to improve your happiness and wellness.