Happy New Year!
A new year usually brings new goals, which is great. Who doesn’t want to be a better version of themselves? But without proper planning, new year’s resolutions can lead to disappointment. This year let’s set ourselves up for success!
Instead of thinking about “a new year, a new you,” this year let’s focus on a new year and a new mindset to make our goals and resolutions easier to achieve!
How can you change your outlook today to feel better about who you are right now AND get excited about the future self you are growing into?
Here are a few tips that will help you reach for those goals and stick with those resolutions:
1. Acknowledge your achievements.
You must recognize your past achievements to remain motivated about what you want to come next. I’m a big believer in the idea that we can’t move forward without acknowledging the wins we’ve already achieved. To improve our outlook going forward, let’s first think about last year. What were some of your wins?
- What did you learn last Winter?
- How did you grow in the Spring?
- What did you accomplish over the Summer?
- What did you do last Fall that makes you proud?
I know you can remember at least one thing from each season that was a win for you! Little wins like going to bed earlier, learning a new recipe, practicing yoga at home, or getting a flower subscription for yourself count.
Don’t discount any of these things. Learning something new is hard but you did it anyway. Take a moment to acknowledge that and to be proud of yourself. Often, it’s those little wins that keep us working toward those bigger yearlong goals.
Remember: the goal isn’t a new you. It’s a new outlook so remember you’ve done hard things and will again.
2. It’s not about being perfect.
The last couple of years were tough so let’s just try to make 2022 a little better. This new year isn’t going to be perfect. It won’t be a newer, brighter version of some year we’ve lived before. We’re not going back to that. We’re moving forward – one (baby) step at a time.
Remember: the goal isn’t a new you. It’s you one step closer to your higher self. It’s about being authentic, not perfect.
3. Set realistic goals.
I don’t mean that you should pick something easy. Pick something that you can stick with because you want to achieve it. Setting a goal to learn a new language every month isn’t realistic for most of us but using a language learning app for 10 minutes a week (or day) is achievable.
Remember: the goal isn’t a new you. It’s a new mindset, a new belief in your ability to make positive changes in your life!
4. Keep trying.
Keep going. If your resolution is to feel better, don’t give up just because you went to a party and had too much to eat or drink. Simply, go to bed, and when you wake up remind yourself why you set the goal in the first place. Don’t give up.
It’s like what I say when we’re in Tree Pose. If you fall out, just try again. No one is keeping score. Just keep lifting that leg up as you try to stand on the other.
Remember: the goal isn’t a new you. It’s a new outlook and that slow deliberate change. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Nor was it built without mistakes!
Like most years, the most common resolution for 2021 was about self-improvement.
If your goal is also about improving yourself, try my free Twists for Self-Confidence yoga class.
You’ll move your body to build self-confidence so you can feel better mentally and physically.If you’re looking for an accountability partner in your 2022 wellness journey, I’d love to help! The Stacey Stufflebeam Yoga membership will help you put down the To Do list, drop the guilt, and find peace.
When you join, you get immediate access to online yoga classes (both live and on-demand) to help your body feel better and mindfulness and meditation practices to help your mind feel better. You even get a monthly calendar with suggested classes for those days when you want to practice but don’t know where to begin. You’re worth it!