How to Make + Keep Your New Years Resolutions

New Year = Fresh Start. There is a lot of excitement that comes with the New Year, but I also think we realize our own humanity when we look back at how we have slacked off in previous years on goals and resolutions. But don’t let your previous let downs discourage you! 2017 is going to be our year. We are going to kick its butt! 

As I discussed in my post The Dress You Need for New Years, my family has had the tradition of creating a bucket list instead of resolutions. I think that the biggest issue with New Years Resolutions is that they are so general and you usually are not specific about how or when you will accomplish those things. For example, “start exercising and losing weight,” this statement can be discouraging if you don’t have a plan of action. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t make resolutions. I even have a few resolutions this year, but I think we should be a little more specific about our goal setting in order to make things happen this year!

Here are a few of my tips on How to Keep Your Goals for 2017!

1. Write It Down and Keep Them Handy! 

This year I went out to TJ MAXX and picked out a notebook that I would use specifically for writing out my goals and resolutions for 2017. I wanted something cute, so that I could be excited and inspired to use it. On New Years Eve (while I was waiting for my flight at the airport), I sat down and wrote out all my goals in that notebook. I am going to keep it in my nightstand or on my desk so I can look at it frequently to check my progress. 

2. Break Down Your Goals into Categories 

For the first time ever, I decided to make a couple of different lists. My first list was a bucket list of the general things I want to accomplish this year. Then I made separate lists for financial goals, health goals, blogging goals, and even home decor goals! Make a separate list for each category. 

3. Write Down Last Year’s Accomplishments 

I find this step to be extremely important. Writing down everything I accomplished in 2016 was so uplifting. I didn’t realize how many places I had been and things I had experienced until I sat down and wrote it all down. Each year is a new journey filled with new adventures. This year might bring us things we would have never expected. But sometimes those are the things we cherish the most.

4. Track Your Progress

Whether it is weekly or monthly, I highly suggest revisiting your goals and writing down what you have done thus far. For example, if it is your goal to read 10 books this year, at the end of January write down the book you read that month in your journal. Tracking progress is important. Even though it might discourage you at times, it can also motivate and inspire you to keep going. 

I thought it would be fun to end this post with some of my Goals + Resolutions for 2017. I did keep a lot of stuff private, but I wanted to give you some inspiration for how to start your list! 

Resolutions:

Keep my bathroom countertop uncluttered and clean

Eat dinner at the table more

Read before bed

Goals:

Create a more serious budget and stick to it

Post 4-5 blog posts a week

Make meal planning a priority and eat out less 

Give Yoga a serious try  

These are just a few things to give you inspiration. I will be honest and say that my real list is a few pages long! But that is because I think being specific is what will really help you accomplish things. Good luck this year. I hope 2017 is your year to shine!  

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read this post! Happy New Year!