Starting small is a proven way to ensure you reach your goals. While it is great to dream big, a goal like losing 100 pounds, or being “more organized” are surefire goals to fail. That’s not to say they’re unattainable, it just means you’re setting the wrong goals right off the bat. The best short-term goals are small, defined, and attainable.
1. Use a planner every day
This is a great step to being more organized. Having this as a goal makes you write down what you have to do. Eventually having your planner on you will become second nature. The important part after writing down your plans or assignments or meetings is to make sure you check the planner regularly. Once you get this down, spacing out tasks and being on time for meetings will become much easier.
2. Arrive 10 minutes early to everything
Instead of “being on-time more often,” this ensures that you are never late. If you have to set all of your clocks 15 minutes forward to make sure this is a reality, do it. It’s a small step toward punctuality, which makes you look and seem more adult.
3. Be active for 30 minutes a day
This is the minimum recommended amount of activity per day. Being a bit more active is a small step toward losing weight and feeling better. If your ultimate goal is to lose 100 this is your first step. You won’t be running a marathon in a month, but you could be feeling better by the end of this week.
4. Keep a journal
If your goal is to manage stress, this resolution is for you. Journaling is way to put today’s stress into words, and vent. If you are bad at expressing your feelings, a journal could help you to get those feelings out without bottling them up.
5. No electronics in the bedroom
If you’re looking to be a little more daring with your resolution, this is for you. Pretty much every expert agrees that bedrooms are for sleeping, not electronic shenanigans. It’s better for your sleep quality and helps you get to bed sooner. It would be even better to stop all electronic use an hour before bedtime, but we’re taking baby steps for the new year.
6. Save One Dollar a Day
Modify this one to your situation. If you don’t have a dollar to spare, make it a quarter. This is the first step to saving money. If you want to treat yourself next year, saving a dollar a day will give you 365 dollars to do it. And it feels like nothing out of your pocket.
7. Drink 8 Glasses of Water a Day
This is good for every part of your body. Just drink water. It sounds simple, but replace sugary drinks with water and save a ton of calories. It will help with your skin, sleep, weight, and anything having to do with your body.
The world is full of New Year’s Resolutions, these are small and simple but can be the starting block for a lifetime of healthier habits. Good luck in the new year, and remember-- you don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.
