It is that time of year again.  Where we celebrate the end of one year and the joy of starting a New Year, a fresh start, most would say.  Now is the time when many of us sit down and evaluate how well we did with our resolutions last year.  The majority of us will have failed to conquer the resolutions on our list.  Many will have failed within the first month! But don’t let that stop you.  Today, I am going to provide you with tips to help you conquer your goals for 2021.

How To ACHIEVE Your New Year’s Resolutions

We all want to succeed with your #NewYearResolutions.  Inside this episode are ideas to keep you #motivated and create good #habits.

Write It Down on Paper.

It has been proven that writing your goals down on paper will make your goals more likely to happen.  There is something about writing things down on paper that makes things stick with me.  I guess that is why I always have sticky notes all over my desk.  Plus it gives me an excuse to use my fountain pens.  Give it a try yourself. 

Make the Goals Fun.

We all know about Smart Goals.  If not, I did a whole video on them.  Anyway, goals need to be specific, and time bound.  Reward yourself with something fun often.  For instance, say you want to lose 50 pounds this year.  You can break that goal out into 5-pound increments and then reward yourself for each 5 pounds that you have lost! The point is to make the reward recurring to boost your morale so that you can succeed.

Consider Setting Weekly Goals Instead

One of the reasons, I do not like to make New Year’s Resolutions is I am afraid of failing.  I went a number of years without setting any goals.  I realize that this was a mistake and have started to make new goals but instead of a yearly goal I make it a weekly goal.  For instance, I have made a weekly goal to produce the blog, podcast and YouTube video each week.  This is easier to grasp my mind around it than a larger goal of produce 52 blog articles, podcast episodes and videos next year.

If you miss one week, it is just a blimp on the radar, and you can get fix it.  Also, you can start a new goal anytime you want.  You do not have to wait until next year.  That way if you have mastered one goal you can move on to another right now

I am going to share a secret with you.  I have been producing the podcast for three years now, and the videos for two years.  It feels strange not to do it anymore.  These recordings have become a habit for me.  I actually feel lost if I don’t do one.

Replace Resolutions with Declarations

There is something about the word resolutions that makes it hard to do anything. Instead of using the word “resolutions,” try declarations or just plain goals instead.  For instance, “I will learn to play the guitar.”  Just as long as the word falls into your appetite to learn, grow, and adventure.  Lastly, remember to declare them clearly!!!

Create a Vision Board

I first heard of a vision board several years ago.  I actually had to look it up when talking to a client.  If you are like me and don’t know what a vision board is, it is images and words representing what you want to achieve and how you like to feel.  In other words, it is a collage of sort.  Pinterest has a ton of examples to get you started.  I have to be honest.  Vision Boards is not something that I am into.  However, each of us is different, and if it works for you, then great.  I envision. In my mind, what I want.  Can your mind be called a vision board?  Let me know in the comments below.

Get Ready for the Change

Let’s face the fact that you need to prepare for the change.  For instance, I cannot achieve my declaration of learning to play the guitar without first preparing.  I need a guitar.  I need to sign up for lessons, and I need a place to practice.  If you want to lose weight, you need to remove the junk food from your pantry and shop for healthy food.  Preparation is key to your success.  You cannot succeed unless you make an effort to get off to a great start.  While you are at it, make sure to prepare your mind for the change. 

Make smaller goals instead of one large goal.

I have to be honest.  It would be best if you break your goals down into smaller, more manageable goals.  If you want to lose 50 pounds next year, you need to break that goal into bite-size pieces.  For instance, I want to lose two pounds a week.  That is 8 pounds a month.  When your mind looks at these smaller goals, it thinks, yes, that is achievable.  If your mind were looking at 50 pounds, it would get stressed out just thinking about it.

To learn to play the guitar, I have a goal of finishing the beginner course within the first six months.    On average, it takes guitarists six months or less to finish the course.  I know that I am older, and it is going to take me a little longer.  I realize that I need to practice every day to complete this task within the time frame.

Don’t Let you Mind Limit Your Thinking

Let’s face the fact that I have tried to learn to play the guitar a few times.  What is different this time?  I have followed my advice and have been planning for this.  In fact, I have already been practicing for the last three weeks.  I even had my friend tune up the guitar so that the fret ends were smoother.  That way, I could not use that as an excuse.  I signed up for the class and am slowly learning to play.  Well, at least three cords presently.  I am prepared consciously for this commitment and will not take failure as an option.  This is the longest I have ever practiced in the past.  Preparing your thinking so that if you fail, you pick up where you left off.  It is okay to fail.  Just learn from your mistakes.

How Successful You are Boils down to Habits.

It is easy to take the necessary steps to prepare for your declaration.  The follow-through is the rough part, or at least it is for me.  That is why I have developed a habit tracker in Notion.  In fact, I stop to practice the guitar at lunchtime.  I have found that by doing this, it is easier for me to not forget about it.  If I leave practicing to the end of the day, I know I would not do it.  In fact, some days, I start my day by practicing the guitar.  I have actually been practicing a few times throughout the day.  Why?  It takes time to build calluses on your fingers.  If I break it up into smaller sessions, I get more done than just one part of the lesson.

Tell Someone that Will Hold You Accountable.

Let’s face the fact telling someone that can hold you accountable increases your chances of succeeding with your declarations.  I have two accountability holders.  The first is my husband and the second is my friend.  I told him that I would buy a new guitar when I have been playing for three months.  In fact, I have been looking at what guitars that I might be interested in buying.  I might even buy my friend’s guitar.

 Summary

If you follow the steps I have outlined above you will be successful (with follow throught) meeting your resolutions. The biggest take away for you today is the following:

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