Whether it’s a new job, new house, or new year, I love a fresh start! I think there is something so exciting about getting a clean slate to create whatever opportunities you want. That’s why I’m such a huge fan of the New Year. We’re given 365 days ahead and it’s up to us to figure out the story we want to tell!

Recently, I was doing some research on things that successful people do in January to kick the year off on the right foot. I found their tips so great that I just had to share them on the blog with you too. I know it can be easy to feel down after the holidays (I totally get it… that holiday slump is real!) so hopefully, these will help motivate you in the months ahead.

Reflect On the Past Year

I loved this one especially. I think it’s so important to reflect on both the good and the bad from the year past. 2021 (and 2020, let’s be honest) were challenging for most of us. I know so many of you faced a number of struggles, so you may not feel like remembering back to the year you just had. But I think self-assessment and reflection are crucial to growth. Take time to think about the strengths and successes of 2021 and consider ways to build on them in 2022. What did you do well and what can you improve upon in the year ahead? I wrote a full blog post on the self-assessment I do each year that would be a great place to start!

Set Intentions

I am BIG on intentions. In fact, “intention” is my word of the year for 2022! You can read all about how I chose this word in my previous blog post here. I think narrowing down your intentions for the year into one word is a great way to stay focused and simplify your goals. I love writing down my word on a post-it and leaving it by my computer or on my bathroom mirror so I see it every day!

Create Tangible Goals

Most of us (especially us aspiring type-A folks) have a laundry list of things we want to accomplish in the year ahead. I know I tend to get over-excited and set more goals for myself than I (or anyone) can actually achieve. It’s taken me a few years to really learn that coming up with fewer, more specific goals will set me up for success more than adding every goal under the sun to my list. If you’ve ever had to create goals for work, you’re likely familiar with SMART goals. I like to apply this same methodology to my personal goals and make them Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

Commit to Self-Care

This time of year, it’s so easy to push ourselves to work harder and achieve our goals. And while this mindset is great and can be super motivating, it’s also important to commit to self-care. I know a number of people who stopped working through their lunch break at work and actually gave themselves 30 minutes for lunch each day, and they said they felt twice as productive the rest of the day. Carve time out for yourself, whatever that looks like, and I guarantee you’ll feel more motivated to actually work toward the goals you’ve set for yourself!

Accept Progress Over Perfection

I preach progress over perfection constantly! It’s my way of thinking for everything from exercise to business goals to parenting and relationships. We are humans. The last time I checked, that means we were created imperfect. So when we push ourselves to strive for perfection, we will inevitably fail, become discouraged, and likely give up. It’s happened to me many times in the past. That’s why I love the idea of making progress instead of trying to be perfect.

For me, this looks like a 30-minute walk every day and then squeezing in a workout when I can instead of guilting myself into an hour-long workout every day of the week. I try to find things I enjoy and will actually do instead of regularly forcing myself to do something that’s not my favorite. I think this can be applied to so many areas of life, and you can be so proud of the progress you’ve made along the way!

I’ve loved doing some of these things already in the New Year and look forward to working through the rest this year. I’d love to know anything you do to help set yourself up for success in the year ahead. Leave a comment and let us know!