At the end of every year, we always reflect on what went wrong throughout our 365 day period. We always automatically assume that we need to change ourselves to start every year. Well, that's not always the case. Maybe we should reflect on the good. Instead of thinking about what mistakes we mad and what didn't go right with our year, we should think about how we grew and the things that went well throughout the year. Now, this doesn't mean we can't reflect and look for some changes that need to be made for the years to come but instead, we will do it in a more positive manner.

Ways we can reflect on the previous year is by making lists. Writing down a lot of things that you did well can actually help your confidence going into the new year and show you that the previous year isn't that bad. I think it's weird how a lot of people looks for ways to just completely change at the start of a new year instead of making improvements. Changing is hard and 9 times out of 10 you won't stick to a drastic change.

For example, some people want to completely stop eating a certain type of food or drinking soda. No one realizes how hard it is to make a change like that. For people who are serious about making positive changes instead of completely cutting something off try to replace it. For example, replace soda with a healthier drink or when going out to a restaurant you can get a healthier meal. You don't have to cut out sweet drinks completely and you don't have to cut out going out to restaurants completely. This makes it easier to improve yourself instead of changing yourself.

The best thing you can do is try to make improvements instead of changing. This way you don't have to be a "new you" just a better one. It is easier to manage small improvements rather than drastic life changes. For those that have bad habits, scientists say that it takes 21 days to break a bad habit. That's less than a month. So for those with big goals for the new year you really just have to survive January or the first month of whenever you decide to start. The start is always the hardest. Like with working out, once you get into a regular schedule you'll be fine and almost enjoy going!

A lot of people set goals for the year and end up failing the first month because they set things that are out of reach. The best way to reach one big goal is by setting lots of little goals. Your end goal is like a mountain, and you can't climb that mountain without all those little stepping stones that lead to the top. Each stepping stone is crucial to your end goal and it is easier to think about one step at a time rather than a whole mountain at once. Stay positive and set all those small goals so you can reach your end goal. It will all be worth it in the end.