How to Prepare for the New Year
The new year is upon us, and so are new year resolutions. Instead of setting vague goals followed by a feeling of failure, we’re here to help you start and end 2022 strong with the following tips.
Reflection
The first step is to reflect on the previous year. Acknowledging your successes and areas for improvement will help not repeat the same mistakes and guide you in setting goals. Here are some helpful questions you may ask yourself:
What were my successes in 2021?
What could I have done differently?
What can I learn from 2021?
Who were the people that supported and encouraged me during challenging times?
Did people respect my boundaries?
What would I do differently if I had to repeat the year?
“Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some”
– Charles Dickens
Gratitude
Being grateful helps keep everything in perspective and brings joy. Gratitude is also a form of mindfulness, which is an active awareness of what you are thankful for and why. If you want to create a habit of a grateful heart, try practicing this activity regularly. One way to do this is by getting an empty mason jar (or any other container and/or box), and each week write what you were thankful for that week and put it in the jar. At the end of the year, you can read the notes and remember the good things that happened that year.
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them”
– John F. Kennedy
Goals
After completing the first two steps, setting goals should be a piece of cake. Here are a few key principles to remember:
1. Make sure your goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Reasonable, and Time-based). For example, instead of saying, “I’m going to get in shape,” say “I’m going to walk around the block three days a week after work.” What does “getting in shape” look like for you?
2. The goals must be yours. Just because someone says you need to buy a house, doesn’t mean you should. You don’t owe anything to anyone. Doing something that you don’t want to do or something you’re not passionate about may make you feel miserable. Bottom line, until you desire to achieve your goal, it won’t happen.
3. Write your goals down. This one might seem silly, but it helps to clearly see and remember the goals you’re working towards. Once you list the goals, make sure to add the steps you plan to take to accomplish those goals. Here are a few potential categories for your goals:
Mental health/boundaries
Spiritual goals
Career goals
Social/community involvement
Financial goals
Family goals
4. Prioritize your goals. Focus on the top three and once you have those accomplished, move on to the next. Focusing on too many goals at once will not get you far. When you accomplish your first goal, then second, then third, and so on, you have built momentum, which will help motivate you to keep going.
5. Celebrate your accomplishments. You are working hard, so it’s important that you acknowledge and celebrate the fruits of your labor.
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
– Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Whatever this year brings, remember that you have a support system around you, including the team at Cannenta Center. For guidance and support, feel free to reach us at CannentaCenter.com. We’re here to listen and help you reach your goals.
