Alex Wieser

It’s that time of year again: the malls are decked with holiday décor, the radio has Mariah Carey on repeat, and New Year’s Eve is getting closer and closer, leaving you to wonder where all the time went, and more importantly, what happened to all those goals you swore you’d reach when the clock struck midnight last year.  Let’s face it, New Year’s resolutions tend to have a pretty short shelf life, and despite all the times you claimed, ‘this year will be different,’ the year has come and gone, leaving your resolutions behind with it.  But December is a time for change, so why not change your outlook on New Year’s resolutions?  Instead of making the same, tired promises only to have forgotten them by March, be smart this New Year, and follow these simple tips to making better, smarter, and more achievable goals for 2016.

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1) bPositive

There’s nothing enjoyable or inspiring about making goals that sound like punishments.  ‘Less’ this, ‘no’ that, and ‘cutting back’ here sound like daunting chores rather than positive changes; goals that ultimately implode due to that mid-year loss of motivation.  This year, instead of limiting yourself, put a positive spin on your goals.  Try saying eat ‘more’ vegetables instead of eat less junk food, or make ‘better’ purchases rather than cut back on spending.  Having a list of ‘mores’ and ‘betters’ encourages optimism much more than a list of ‘no’s' and ‘don’ts.’ Positive messaging and reinforcement will help you to follow through with your goals all the way to December.

2) bFocused

While New Year’s resolutions are meant to last the entire 365 days, goals with no real end date can seem distant and overwhelming.  Help make your dreams seem more manageable by categorizing them into smaller achievements.  Setting incremental checkpoints every few months will enable you to focus on reaching each step before moving on to the next; crossing off one victory at a time allows you to see real, visible progress.  Celebrating how far you’ve come and visualizing how much further you can go will motivate you to continue making positive changes throughout the entire year.

3) bConfident

Balancing work and relationships with health, fun, relaxation, and reaching new goals can often seem like a bit too much to juggle at once, even for the superwoman that you are.  Though getting everything you want may sometimes seem like an unreasonable feat, don’t let the fear of your big dreams stop you from trying to reach them.  Complement your venti latte or favorite pump-up playlist with a new kind of morning motivation – confidence.  Have faith in your drive and perseverance, and wake up every morning with the resolve that you’re going to do one thing, no matter how small, that will get you a little bit closer to where you want to be.  Feeling good about yourself and the goals you set will make them seem more accomplishable, and by the end of the year you’ll find that maintaining an optimistic mindset was really all it took to keep you going.  And hey, if you have a cheat day or two along the way, don’t get discouraged.  Use it as a reminder that you are only human, and the fact that you made it this far is a triumph in itself.

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bSmart, bPositive, bConfident, and bPurposeful, and 2016 will be your best year yet.

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4) bPurposeful

When deciding which goals to plan to achieve this year, make sure you are choosing ones for the right reasons.  Your goals should be important to you, not just something you saw on Pinterest or heard your friends were trying out.  Sit down and brainstorm a list of what is most important in your life, and base your resolutions on your personal priorities.  Striving towards goals that have meaning to you will keep you motivated throughout the year and will feel ten times better to accomplish.

New Year’s is a time for change… but really this time.  Take a few minutes out of your holiday shopping this year, sit down with a nice peppermint mocha, and brainstorm resolutions that feel tangible and exciting.  bSmart, bPositive, bConfident, and bPurposeful, and 2016 will be your best year yet. 

 

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