HAPPY NEW YEAR! Did you set any New Years Resolutions? Does 2021 feel like a fresh start? Or does it feel like a continuation of 2020? Nonetheless, your feelings are valid.
I’m in the “continuation” camp. Perhaps it is because my goals mostly remain the same as last year. With the ongoing pandemic & my family continuing to stay at home, January 1 felt like another day but I’m still glad it is a new year and look forward to positive change!
I plan to approach this year’s goals differently, more on that below. In December, I got ahead of the New Year Resolutions goals 6 weeks early. I gave myself a “free” pass the last week in December to chill out after working my ass off for 6 weeks. I felt a little fatigued (mentally and physically) and the break was much needed. I don’t feel guilty, I don’t feel like I lost any gains, and I’m ready to tackle my goals again.
My 2021 approach to New Years resolutions: BREAK THE YEAR UP INTO QUARTERS!
This is is not ground breaking, but knowing I only have to set myself up for success every 3 months makes the process less vague and less intimidating.
WHY SHOULD YOU TRY THIS METHOD?
- Breaking up the year into 4 quarters feel less like a slog, which means more motivation & creativity towards your goals.
- At the end of every quarter, you can assess your progress. If you’re not thrilled with how things are going, come up with a new plan, or a different resolution for the next 3 months!
- You deserve to be successful!
MY GOALS WITH THIS APPROACH:
- Stay active: I will workout 5 days a week. For me, that means lifting 3 days and running 2 days until my 12 week body/strength building program is complete (6 weeks to go)! When I’m done with the program, I have another 12 week program ready to go!
- Learn Korean: Learn 10 new words a day! Learning a language or how to play an instrument IS a slog because it takes years of daily work to reach competency. Therefore, it is extremely important to have 12 week goals. This is where I failed last year (no goals and no plan) and quit learning for a few months. In March, I will come up with a new goal to keep things fresh!
- Meditate daily: I joined a 30 day morning meditation challenge on Insight Timer! It’s a warm, loving way to start the day and I feel more mindful in approach to self care and parenting. Insight Timer rocks. If you want to get started with meditation but don’t feel like you have the time, there are 1-5 minute meditations!
At the end of the day, the best approach may be to take it one day at a time. Celebrate small wins and reward yourself every quarter making progress.
Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions? How do you feel about approaching it in 3 month chunks? Is a year long goal better suited for you?
