New Year, New You

GOAL! 2021 is the start of a new decade and the only way to make the best of it is to be the best version of yourself. 

For many, 2021 is the ray of light, radiating a glimmer of hope after the global-level challenges that each individual has had to deal with in 2020. However, after the clock ticked to midnight on the last day of 2020, reality still prevails. Whether the challenges are being dealt with by the whole world or just one person, a new year only results in a new you with persistent initiative and positive intention. 2021 is the start of a new decade and the only way to make the best of it is to be the best version of yourself.

When it comes to redefining yourself – in ways big or small – for the new year, the starting point must be a vision or goal that you have for yourself. Make sure that this goal is not based on the standards your family or society has put in place for you. Your vision for the year should come from what you totally aspire. Ask yourself: Without the pressure of any other person and without considering expectations others may have of you, what do you truly want to achieve? The scale of this goal can be as minimal or as large as you define it to be. You may desire to hit a certain revenue stream by December, have a certain body weight to muscle ratio, or simply become a more content person by having a grasp on your anxiety. Whatever it may be, picturing yourself having accomplished this goal should truly excite you!

Need help setting a SMART goal?

Your goal should be:

Sensible

Do make sure your goal is simple enough. Do not set a goal you know is way beyond capacity. 

Measurable

Do make sure your goal is motivating. Do not set a goal that you cannot tell whether you have accomplished. 

Achievable

Do make sure your goal is attainable. Do not set a goal that is not realistic. 

Relevant

Do make sure your goal is worthwhile. Do not set a goal that does not actually matter to you.

Time-bound

Do make sure you set checkpoints. Do not set a goal with no milestones along the way.

After you establish a goal, the next step is to break it down. Determine what you need to do each month, each week and each day to get closer to your goal. When feeling demotivated or low in energy, you can even check in with yourself: At this point in time, am I moving towards or further away from my goal? In the beginning, there is solely one key to success: consistency. All goals will only be propelled towards with the right habits. Small changes in your daily lifestyle and activities will be steps towards achieving your goal. On average, it takes two months to form a habit. Do not give up in the beginning or easily walk away. The changes you have to make may not feel great in the start.

This means, that in the beginning, your process may seem mechanical. The return on investment may not be as apparent in the beginning. Results will start to emerge as you continue the journey. In the beginning, it is effective to put on blinders and simply do the actions that are necessary to form the right habits. That said, along the way, keep checking with the SMART metric to ensure that your goal still makes sense for you. Nothing is set in stone and you are allowed to review your goals if they no longer speak to you.

Finally, know that along the way, there will be obstacles and challenges to deter you. However, keep an anchor thought, potentially positive thoughts about the accomplishment of your goal or a motivating catalyst. Use this thought to bring you back into the present moment and keep yourself going. On the contrary, if your goal seems near, don’t get overconfident and get off track. Evaluate what’s working and keep the momentum going.

If you set these goals carefully and with the intention to follow through, at the end of the year, you will see a significant learning curve and be proud of the journey you have taken. It may even be a fun exercise to take a before and after snapshot in time, or to write your goal in an envelope to revisit later in the year. Act fast, though. Time is running out as the year has already begun in full force. Good luck in reaching your vision this year. Ready, set, goal!