Simple Ways to Achieve Your Resolutions & Goals

We're 8 days into the New Year and I feel like it's almost become a joke now to make resolutions because they're so "hard" to follow. They really can be, and I think I *finally* know why - more so than the word having such a negative connotation to it, making goals that are SO unattainable, lofty and that just don't make sense cause you to not even want to try or think twice about trying to achieve them. Whether you rocked this first week of 2018 with your goals or you decided you needed one more week of vacay (I'm somewhere in the middle...), there's no better time than now! I've been filled with ah-ha moments lately and it's pretty refreshing; these simple tips will help you keep your resolutions afloat, and hopefully help to not feel so overwhelmed with your goals!

Make smaller, more achievable goals

Also known as S.M.A.R.T. goals, making a list of goals you can achieve over the course of a week or a month rather than the entire year will help you get them done and are WAY more affective because they're specific. They have a purpose - a when/where/why/how and are tailored to you in this exact moment. Who knows where you'll be or how much you'll have grown (personally or business wise!) in 8 months? Now I'm not saying not to know what you want to achieve and how far you hope to come during the course of the year, but if you just make a goal to "lose weight" or to "get healthy" and "grow your business", there's nothing specific enough to really give you the motivation to make the necessary changes.

Write EVERYTHING down

I'm one of those people who has to keep track of everything visually. I make a ton of lists and I always have to write things out to actually remember them! If you're a visual person most especially, writing everything down where you can see it is so key. Find a notebook (or ten if you hoard them like me!) and make use of them. Do brain dumps, write your goals down and make use of writing things down to help to achieve tasks each day.

Have someone who can hold you accountable

Be it your best friend, your mom, sister, significant other - find someone you can trust and have them hold you accountable to whatever your goal(s) may be. If you're a RHOBH fan, you probably have seen Teddi Mellancamp this season - who is an accountability coach and now I wish I lived in Beverly Hills so I could hire her, LOL. If someone is holding you accountable to get things done, you'll be much more likely to!

Only make goals you're really committed to

It's nice to say you want to run a marathon or take more chances, but if you have no real intention or plan to do so - you aren't going to get it done. You need a true action plan and drive to achieve something, so if you aren't sure that you do, it likely isn't going to get done. Be honest with yourself and what you think you can achieve!

Plan to treat yourself with big milestones

I think it's safe to say that we all do better if there's something dangling above that we're itching to grab. With every goal you make, have an incentive for yourself once the goal is met. Whether it's a splurge of a purchase you've been eyeing or even a trip you've been dying to plan - ANYTHING! - working for something will help you see the finish line sooner and you'll be more driven than you ever thought you could be.

Figure out what really motivates you

Everyone has something different that helps increase your drive to get something done. Figure out what that is and make it happen! For me, an upbeat playlist with my favorite songs and a clean desk always helps!

Pick a word of the year

I've been doing this for a couple of years now, and it ALWAYS makes a difference in my attitude and how I think. I write my word down and anything/everything associated with it. This year my word is purpose. I actually have a couple of words I'll be focusing on, but figuring out my purpose - personally and business wise - is incredibly important. Write your word down and let your brain flow onto the paper; whatever comes to your mind first when you say your word out loud, just write it down. This brings me to my next idea of-

Make a vision board

Get a bulletin board (poster board even works!) and fill it with everything you envision for the year. Travel inspo, something you want to buy, a list of goals, a bunch of words - whatever it may be that you have planned for this year, make it visual. It's fun to do and super motivating to see!

How are you keeping your goals and staying motivated this year? XOXO -A