Well everyone, we made it! 2022 is here and in full swing and by now, our resolutions are probably in full swing too. I am looking forward to 2022 and everything it is going to bring. I am ready to leave any negativity behind because 2022 is a new year and it is the perfect time for a new start.
Now, let’s talk about resolutions. Like I said, most people are probably 19 days into their 2022 resolutions by now, staying strong, feeling good – but that just isn’t me. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love new years, I love being able to set new goals, get a clean slate, and reflect on the year I had but I am not big on resolutions.
Set Goals Not Resolutions
I have never really bought into any of the resolutions – it hasn’t become my thing. I don’t like to think of a new year as a time to make goals that will ultimately make your life better and I don’t want you all to think about it that way either. Don’t get me wrong, I am a goal setter, I love setting goals every year – I set 18 goals for 2022 to be exact. If I reach 5 of them, I will be happy, if I reach 9 of them I will be ecstatic if that shows you how I look at goals. The reason I look at goals this way is because I don’t want my happiness and my success to depend on my goals. I can create a life that I am proud of and a healthy life for myself without completing all of my goals and you should too. Don’t let goals determine your happiness – think of them as something that can add to your happiness.
A lot of people have the idea that once you set a resolution – you have to follow through with it. Unfortunately, for most people, that is an unrealistic goal. If you don’t complete your resolution, you think that you failed at that task. With goals, you have more leeway – more room to stray away and return when you feel ready. Goals allow you to work at it and then put aside something more important. I see goals as low pressure and highly attainable. When you are not successful, you are done with a resolution. Goals are reachable.
My People
To my tribe – my family, friends, clients, my customers, my followers, all of you – yes, a new year is full of hope and excitement but it is not always that way for everyone. Not everyone is able to be in the correct headspace for a new year. A new year tends to bring out a lot of anxiety and stress in people. The stress of needing to do better, create a healthier lifestyle, start over – but what I want to say to all of you is not to stress about it too much. Don’t put that much pressure on yourself to become this better person right away – it takes time.
Don’t judge your life based on what everyone else is doing. Motivation from others can almost be off putting for some. Take me for example, right now, I am pumped for 2022 and excited to continue pushing myself and pursuing my goals. This was not always the case. You all know that I had to work hard to get to where I am – happy with life, my career, my family, etc. This took years, it wasn’t a new year’s resolution I set for myself, it was years of setting attainable goals that got me to where I am. I remember not being happy and dreading the new year thinking “everything is going to be the same as last year” it was exhausting.
If you are finding yourself stuck in that spot, know that you are not alone. Start making little goals, and make a decision for yourself that you WANT to change. Ask yourself what are the steps you are going to take in order to see change? Write down the number one thing – your highest priority.
Parting Thoughts
We all want to have a great year with great goals. Especially with the pandemic, everyone’s goal is to have a better year than the year before. As each year goes on, make specific goals on how you can make your life better. It is okay to be in a hard space, don’t compare yourself to others, take baby steps. It is okay to be in a negative head space – just don’t stay there. Focus on YOU and your own steps. Happy 2022 and go get those goals!
Live Life on Your Own Terms,
Michelle Sukow