Welcome to 2018: Setting New Years Resolutions that you can actually achieve

We are so close to 2018 that I can smell it. New year, new you as they say. I can’t believe how quickly another year has gone by. I don’t know about you, but every new year I sit down and make a list of what I want to accomplish in the next 365 days. This year I’m still not sure what exactly I want to accomplish, but I have determined that my theme for 2018 is to go with the flow. (more on themes in a bit) So today I’m helping you welcome 2018 with some tips for creating new years resolutions that you can actually achieve.

Reflect on your accomplishments & past goals of 2017

2017 was a crazy, amazing, beautiful year. I experienced a new state, then moved back to the Golden State (but to the north), traveled to 7 countries and 10+ cities, “leaned in” to my career, and really pushed myself towards happiness and self-improvement. My mantra for 2017 was

Jump into the unknown & be comfortable with being uncomfortable

And while my other resolution “to stop being so hard on myself” didn’t exactly come true, I’m still proud of what I achieved. You may have achieved all (or none) of your 2017 resolutions. And that’s okay. What’s important is the reflection and how you move forwards. Ask yourself the following:

1. What did you achieve?
2. What did you not achieve?
3. For the things you didn’t complete, why do you think you didn’t accomplish it?
4. What would you do moving forwards?

Pick a theme

You can call it a theme or a mantra or an intention. Whatever you would like to call it, I think it’s important to have something that ties all your resolutions and helps you work towards an ultimate goal. A few examples to get you started:

• healthy lifestyle
• push yourself
• adventure

Make your goals obtainable & easy to track

I’m all for having a big imagination and reaching for the stars. But if you create resolutions that are impossible to obtain, you’re only setting yourself up for disappointment. And if you’re disappointed too often, that can effect your perception of yourself, your career and those around you.

Set small obtainable goals that can help you move towards your theme. In tech we often talk about “S.M.A.R.T.” when we talk about setting goals. That means:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Results-focused
• Timebound

By using smart, you’ll end up resolutions that are easier to digest and to track.

Write it down

Lastly, write it down. I think this step is incredibly important so that 1) you don’t forget what you want to do and 2) you actually feel compelled to do them. I believe that writing down your resolutions make them all the more real.

Have a great holiday season darlings!