A new year is here, and for many people that means new goals! Now, maybe you love setting new year’s resolutions. Maybe you hate them. Maybe you fall somewhere in between. But whether you’re setting specific goals you want to achieve by the end of the year, or you’re simply going with a word for 2022, what’s important is that you are intentional about how you get there.

If you want to achieve something this year—whether that’s running an entire marathon, or simply learning to rest (I promise this one’s easier said than done!)—then you need to get into the driver’s seat.

What do I mean by that? Well, there are so many things in your life that are out of your control. You can’t control the traffic on your commute home from work, the genetics you were born with, the weather, taxes… you get the picture. But what you can control are your own behaviors. Your choices are entirely up to you. If you want to create meaningful changes this year, you’ve got to get into the driver’s seat of your life.

Want to make strides this year? Here are 5 tips to help you achieve your goals—big or small.

5 Tips for Hitting Your Goals in the New Year

1. Get clear on your why. Why does making this change matter to you? How will it impact your life and/or the lives of others? Having a solid “why” is crucial to helping you follow through with your goal, even on those days you just don’t feel like it.
   

2. Develop a system that supports your vision. What are the tangible things you’re doing to achieve your goals? What daily habits will help get you closer to where you want to be?
   

3. Start small. Take a look at your big goals and break them down into small, achievable goals. If you want to run a marathon for the first time ever, you’re going to have to work up to 26.2 miles. Hitting small milestones will help you acknowledge and celebrate your progress along the way.
   

4. Get comfortable with discomfort. Change is hard because it’s new and uncomfortable to us. But discomfort isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When we do things that are out of our normal routine, discomfort is natural. If you can embrace the discomfort, you’re much more likely to create positive momentum on your journey.
   

5. Don’t rely on motivation. Being motivated isn’t the key to successfully achieving your goals. Motivation comes and goes. If you want to achieve your goals, you really have to make a decision each day to do what needs to be done, even when it’s hard.

Small Changes Yield Big Results

I wish I could tell you there was a quick and easy way to make the changes you want to make this year, my friend. But the truth is: change is hard. It will likely require sacrifice. It will cause discomfort. There will be days when you don’t want to do it at all.

But remember that even the smallest of changes, made over a long period of time, can make a big impact. In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear argues that just a 1% change can be powerful enough. That’s why something as simple as making your bed everyday can cause a shift in your life.

**I’m cheering you on as you work toward the changes you want to make in your life this year, friend! If you need some extra support, hop on my email list! Twice a month, I dive deeper into these ideas with my email subscribers. I’d love to see you there!

Disclaimer:

The content found on Integrative Counseling and Nutrition Consulting platform is not intended to be a substitute for professional therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your psychiatrist, therapist or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a mental health condition.