Daily Dose of Design: Simple Ways to Achieve Your Resolutions & Goals

Monday, January 8, 2018

Simple Ways to Achieve Your Resolutions & Goals


We're 8 days into the New Year and I feel like it's almost become a joke now to make resolutions because they're so "hard" to follow. They really can be, and I think I *finally* know why - more so than the word having such a negative connotation to it, making goals that are SO unattainable, lofty and that just don't make sense cause you to not even want to try or think twice about trying to achieve them. Whether you rocked this first week of 2018 with your goals or you decided you needed one more week of vacay (I'm somewhere in the middle...), there's no better time than now! I've been filled with ah-ha moments lately and it's pretty refreshing; these simple tips will help you keep your resolutions afloat, and hopefully help to not feel so overwhelmed with your goals!

Make smaller, more achievable goals


Also known as S.M.A.R.T. goals, making a list of goals you can achieve over the course of a week or a month rather than the entire year will help you get them done and are WAY more affective because they're specific. They have a purpose - a when/where/why/how and are tailored to you in this exact moment. Who knows where you'll be or how much you'll have grown (personally or business wise!) in 8 months? Now I'm not saying not to know what you want to achieve and how far you hope to come during the course of the year, but if you just make a goal to "lose weight" or to "get healthy" and "grow your business", there's nothing specific enough to really give you the motivation to make the necessary changes.

Write EVERYTHING down


I'm one of those people who has to keep track of everything visually. I make a ton of lists and I always have to write things out to actually remember them! If you're a visual person most especially, writing everything down where you can see it is so key. Find a notebook (or ten if you hoard them like me!) and make use of them. Do brain dumps, write your goals down and make use of writing things down to help to achieve tasks each day.

Have someone who can hold you accountable


Be it your best friend, your mom, sister, significant other - find someone you can trust and have them hold you accountable to whatever your goal(s) may be. If you're a RHOBH fan, you probably have seen Teddi Mellancamp this season - who is an accountability coach and now I wish I lived in Beverly Hills so I could hire her, LOL. If someone is holding you accountable to get things done, you'll be much more likely to!

Only make goals you're really committed to


It's nice to say you want to run a marathon or take more chances, but if you have no real intention or plan to do so - you aren't going to get it done. You need a true action plan and drive to achieve something, so if you aren't sure that you do, it likely isn't going to get done. Be honest with yourself and what you think you can achieve!

Plan to treat yourself with big milestones


I think it's safe to say that we all do better if there's something dangling above that we're itching to grab. With every goal you make, have an incentive for yourself once the goal is met. Whether it's a splurge of a purchase you've been eyeing or even a trip you've been dying to plan - ANYTHING! - working for something will help you see the finish line sooner and you'll be more driven than you ever thought you could be.

Figure out what really motivates you


Everyone has something different that helps increase your drive to get something done. Figure out what that is and make it happen! For me, an upbeat playlist with my favorite songs and a clean desk always helps!

Pick a word of the year


I've been doing this for a couple of years now, and it ALWAYS makes a difference in my attitude and how I think. I write my word down and anything/everything associated with it. This year my word is purpose. I actually have a couple of words I'll be focusing on, but figuring out my purpose - personally and business wise - is incredibly important. Write your word down and let your brain flow onto the paper; whatever comes to your mind first when you say your word out loud, just write it down. This brings me to my next idea of-

Make a vision board


Get a bulletin board (poster board even works!) and fill it with everything you envision for the year. Travel inspo, something you want to buy, a list of goals, a bunch of words - whatever it may be that you have planned for this year, make it visual. It's fun to do and super motivating to see!

How are you keeping your goals and staying motivated this year?
XOXO -A

37 comments:

  1. I love these ideas, writing everything down is the key for me! I will write down daily to-do lists, just so I get to cross them off at the end of the day!

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  2. I do a lot of these too! I have a few notebooks, too, plus a planner! haha I have to write things down in order to do them. Something about checking them off ...

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  3. I love the idea of smaller goals - making them more realistic versus reaching for the moon. Also, absolutely love the word of the year I'm going to adopt that!

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  4. I love all of these tips. I think the biggest thing for me is making goals I am actually committed to. It takes time to think about what really matters to you but it's so important. You don't want to make goals you could never think about keeping just because you made a goal you never thought was important. If you do that too much you will begin to think that you suck at keeping goals, instead of you aren't the best at picking the right goals!

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  5. Love these tips! I am all about making small achievable goals too -- it's the one thing that has always worked for me.

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  6. I love this idea! I think finding a "word of the year" is a great way to apply yourself.

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  7. Great ideas! I was really interested in setting a theme for the year. I'm not really sure what I'd choose if I were to do that for myself. I'll have to give that some thought...

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  8. I love all of this! Super practical! I went much more practical this year when it came to setting up goals and what not! I did a word and a theme for the year as well! I loved it! And it allows me add goals as I go if they fall under that theme!

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  9. I love SMART goals! I'm also a big believer in putting things out into the universe which is why I always share my goals on my blog or on social media.

    Tori
    www.mooretori.com

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  10. SMART goals and an accountability partner are both huge factors that play into achieving your goals! They never fail.

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  11. These are all great tips, especially about setting goals that you are serious about. no point setting a goal you don't plan on achieving.

    xo Deborah
    Coffee, Prose, and Pretty Clothes

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  12. I tried to only make resolutions this year that are fully in my grasp to attain! I didn't specifically use the SMART system, but I guess they all fall into that!

    xoxo A
    www.southernbelleintraining.com

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  13. I like this. Most of your suggestions incorporate self-reflection and awareness which is necessary if we want to grow or achieve any goals this year. Good read

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  14. these are all on point! I actually just came across my 2015 or 2016 vision board and it was so fun! It all came true! it just took a little longer than a year!

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  15. I like your list. I think it is really important to be realistic and to start small. You can always add goals throughout the year. :)

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  16. I am a list maker as well! I want to cross items off the list no matter how small. I also need to make a new vision board. I haven't make one in a few years, Thanks for the reminder.

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  17. I have a note book next to me right now! Writing everything down helps so much!
    -Nicholle
    www.nichollesophia.com

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  18. make the most of the new year 2018. Yes I have a vision board and goals and plans created. My word is Go and that stands for Go forward where I will not turn around

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  19. I completely agree with small goals! Large goals make me feel intimidated and I'm more likely to give up.

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  20. Yes to all of these! I'm ready to rock 2018 ;)

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  21. Yes to writing everything down and vision boards! Great tips. I find that when I can see my goals, they're easier to hold myself accountable to.

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  22. I always have to write everything down! I can totally relate to having to see everything. Great tips!

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  23. Yes - getting straight to the point lists, big & little goals and a word for the year (I picked Discover & Leap) Accountability partner is a plus - but alas I don't have one while I'm working with my blog - but I'm sure I will catch up with someone of like thinking. Thanks for your post straightforward and simply put.
    Warmly,
    Deborah
    www.deborahhunterkells.com

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  24. These are great tips, I have never done the word of the year though. Maybe I should give it a try!

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  25. These are great tips!
    I am currently working on my goals as well through the SMART method plus writing them out on my calendar :)

    XO Karoline

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  26. These are all great tips! I don't make resolutions, but I always feel like the new year is a new start, so these tips will definitely help me keep my momentum towards success!

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  27. Such great tips! If I don't write anything down I will not get it done. I've found that breaking goals down into smaller goals helps too!

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  28. I always write things down and break them up into smaller chuncks to make them seem more acheivable. Some great tips here!

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  29. Great point to only make goals you're committed to. Gotta be realistic!

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  30. I always write down my goals and put them above my desk so that I see them everyday!

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  31. I made a list of things I really want to buy this year that are considered splurges (like a Kate Spade bag) and then set goals for my blog that I can work towards. Once I hit one of those goals, I can treat myself to one of those prizes! It's been working so far!

    xo, Chelsie @ Hey There, Chelsie

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  32. Love this!! Writing my goals down is huge for me! It's easier for me to stay on track when I can see them right in front of me!

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  33. Love these ideas! I always write EVERYTHING down, but I've never created a vision board... I think it's definitely something I should start implementing into my life Xo

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  34. I love word of the years! Mine is "intention"!

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  35. Great ideas! I was really interested in setting a theme for the year. I'm not really sure what I'd choose if I were to do that for myself. I'll have to give that some thought...

    Free online games madalin stunt cars 2, happy wheels

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  36. I used to make 20 big goals like "Go to Paris, Run a Marathon, Get a 4.0, ETC." but I wasn't fully committed to all of the little goals it took to make those big goals happen (ie. save money, wake up early on saturdays to go on training runs, skip frat parties and study,etc.) so my goals felt sort of empty. Now I make big goals but only if I am really committed to them and I focus on all the little goals it takes to get to achieve them.

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