Happy New Year’s Eve! Let’s talk about goal setting. Are there new year resolution alternatives?
As the new year approaches, many people turn to the timeless tradition of making resolutions as a way to set goals and improve their lives. However, resolutions can be tough to stick to, especially when you’re trying to manage work and personal commitments. In fact, it’s quite common for people to lose motivation or give up on their new year’s resolutions entirely. Talk about depressing!
According to the NY Post, February 1st is the day we tend to call it quits on our New Year’s resolutions. Not you, though! Not this year, anyway. If you’re looking for nontraditional ways to set goals and focus on personal growth, here are a few new year resolution alternatives to consider:
1. Create a vision board.
Create a vision board! A vision board is a collage of images and words that represent your goals and aspirations for the upcoming year. It serves as a visual representation of what you want to achieve and is designed to be a daily reminder of your top priorities.
To create your very own vision board, gather magazine clippings, printed photos, or other images that resonate with you and your goals. You can also include words or phrases that inspire you; I love to whip out my planner stickers and scrapbooking paper!
Once you have collected all of your materials, arrange them on a poster board, notebook, or planner. You can even create your vision board with a digital platform like Canva. (I’d still print it out for a physical visual reminder when finished, though.) Place your vision board somewhere you’ll see it every day, like on your desk or on an office wall, to help keep you focused and motivated throughout the year.
2. Pick one word for the year.
Choose a word of the year! Rather than setting specific resolutions, consider selecting just one word to focus on for the entire year. I find inspiration for my one word through meditation, Bible study, and music.
Your one word for the year could represent a trait you want to cultivate, a goal you want to achieve, or a mindset you wish to adopt. Having a word of the year can help guide your decisions and actions throughout the year. For more information, I highly recommend you read this book! Use your one word as a guiding principle for your goals and decisions that will be made throughout the year.
3. Try a 30-day challenge!
Maybe you like new year’s resolutions, but the idea of 365 days to goal is overwhelming. Instead of trying to make big, sweeping changes all at once, try focusing on small, consistent habits that can lead to real long-term progress. Break down your lofty long-term goals into smaller, more manageable chunks. For example: if you want to improve your physical health, you might start by committing to drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning or taking a 10-minute walk every day.
As the old saying goes: You eat an elephant one bite at a time. Small habits can add up to significant progress over time! I suggest choosing one resolution and committing to its bite-size action steps for 30 days. Journaling your progress can be super beneficial as well. After 30 days, reassess and decide whether you want to continue working on that goal or move on to something else!
Not sure how to get started eating your elephant? Some books I recommend for a 30-day challenge and improved growth mindset:
- 30 Days – Change your habits, Change your life: A couple of simple steps every day to create the life you want by Marc Reklau
- The Big Book of 30-Day Challenges: 60 Habit-Forming Programs to Live an Infinitely Better Life by Rosanna Casper
- The Bigger Book Of 30-day Challenges: 120 Fun Fitness and Lifestyle Programs to Build Healthier Habits, Maximize Your Productivity, and Transform Your Life by Rosanna Casper
Resolutions or not: what’s the point?
No matter which approach you choose for setting goals this year, the most important thing is to be kind to yourself. Recognize it’s okay if you don’t achieve all you’ve set out to do! Donโt let the statistically high likelihood of failure put you off from making a New Yearโs resolution. Set yourself up for success using one of the alternatives posed here today. You got this!
At the very least, fail forward! Learn from your experiences. Even if you donโt achieve your goal, youโll still be closer to it than you were at the start of the year. Remember to celebrate your successes and learn from any setbacks along the way. Here’s to a happy and successful new year!
ACTIONABLE STEPS: Set some goals and crush them! Do you set new year goals? Have different traditions or new year resolution alternatives? Share below! I’d love to cheer you on this year!
