I think we can all agree that 2016 sucked and we are all praying that 2017 doesn’t kick our ass in the same way. And along with that hopeful thinking, we have that new year motivation pumping in us. This will be my year. I’m going to get fit. I’m going to save more money. I’m actually going to try to do this for the first month and then quit….

Let’s face the reality, very few of us can keep the motivation going all year long and to those who can, I wish I was you. But, I am here to tell you that keeping that motivation can happen this year if you plan out your new year resolutions the right way. This is my personal way of planning out my new year goals. With these three easy steps i stay motivated about my new year resolution and am more confident in achieving it.

First off pick a word or theme for the new year. I know this sounds a little strange but it will help you focus your goals on what you really want to change about yourself or what you really want to achieve this year. Change is not easy, and majority of the time with change comes creating new habits and those take time. For myself I am leaning towards the word “restart”. My 2016 was just as rocky as everyone else, but what really bugged me was that at one point I was doing really well, I was on top of my game in every aspect. So since I decided that 2017 was going to be a “restart” year, a year to restart what I left unfinished and complete it. With whatever word you choose you can write something about how this word or theme ties in with what you want to achieve, what I wrote “This year I want to restart. I know what I am capable of doing and it is much more than this. I am giving myself a second chance because I deserve it and I know I will achieve my goals.” This word is pretty broad, but when I think about this word I think about how I took time off from certain things and I want to go back to that but as a fresh start. Your theme can be something more specific like health or finances. It just has to be something that speaks to you if you will.

Next comes the goals. A few of my goals that fit into my restarting mind set for 2017 is getting a new apartment with all new furniture as if it was my first place. In 2016 I lived in 2 different apartment complexes for 6 months at a time, and being an independent working college student I didn’t really get the chance to make them feel like home. So for 2017 that is one of my goals, get a new apartment and make it home. I basically want to “restart” on the whole living on my own thing. The goals should be realistic as well and things you really want to change, like they said new year new me. If your wanting to focus on health goals set a end of the year goal weight, take up a new lifestyle diet like vegan, no red meat, vegetarian, etc.

Finally, set mini goals and list the the things you will do to achieve the ultimate goal. For myself on my apartment goal, I have decided that I want to get an apartment on my own, no more roommates. This way I am free to decorate as I please and things will be my way. Also another mini goal or steps that I set to achieve making it feel like I home I decided that once a month I will buy something for my apartment whether it is a new chair or just a cozy blanket just something that will make it feel more like home. Going back to health goal, setting mini goals every month will help you stick to it and keep the motivation going. Each month pick one thing that you really want to achieve, like eat no red meat, or only eat veggies that month, or get down to a certain weight every month. The whole point of the mini goals is to keep them realistic so you can actually accomplish them and feel good about yourself. If you continue to accomplish things then motivation will stay in place and by the end of the year you’ll reach the ultimate goal.

This is my personal way that works for me and hopefully it will work for others. Good luck!