Start small
We seem to operate under the belief that with a new year, comes the opportunity to create a “new us.”
However, operating under this belief means we’re failing to realize:
- if we want to change something about our lives, we don’t have to wait until January.
- having a laser-like focus on your goals (or the end result) isn’t what’s going to help you accomplish them.
- reflecting on (and learning from) your failures and accomplishments from the last year will help you see what worked and what didn’t – that will enable you to come up with strategies or tactics to make your new goals more attainable for the upcoming year.
- it’s impossible to change everything at once; start by focusing on a few smaller (realistically achievable) activities or behaviors that will have the most positive impact on your life.
- be gentle with yourself; change takes time and practice. Rather than beating yourself up if you fail to stick to your new desired routine, think about what you could have done differently. Most importantly, celebrate the small victories by giving yourself praise whenever you notice growth and/or improvement.
While striving to make positive changes in your life is admirable and important, it’s critical to start small in order to maximize your chance of success.