Resolutions? One Word? Vision Board? Goals? What's the best way to start 2024?

Are New Year's Resolutions your thing? If they are and they work for you, GREAT! I am truly glad to hear it!

New Year's Resolutions used to be my thing but I seem to keep drifting further and further away from them. For many years I would go hard for several weeks and then life would happen, I would slip up and then start to lose steam. Once I lost steam I would start to feel like I failed, lose all further motivation, and then it was over. My resolution was just another failed attempt.  Sometimes. I think there is so much pressure that it becomes easy to get defeated if/when you slip up or fall short. When I decided that New Year's Resolutions no longer worked for me I decided to choose a word to focus on and that felt more intentional and something easier to stick with, which was precisely what I likely needed during those particular seasons. 
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I am here to remind you that if you set a goal or a resolution and it's no longer working for you it's ok to say that.  It's ok to scratch that and set a goal that is better suited for you and your current season of life no matter what time of year it is.  Also, don't hear me wrong...your goals don't have to be centered around productivity, having more, or being more of a certain way, etc.  Your goals should truly be something that adds value to you and your life. Sometimes that means taking something off of your plate or setting boundaries in areas where stress seems to creep into your life.  

As I get older the years seem to go by faster so while I think it is very important to be intentional, set goals,  and have a vision for your future, I don't particularly like the pressure of a New Year's Resolution and I want more than just one word.  I think the power is in constantly evaluating your goals throughout the year and staying motivated to strive to reach those goals.  
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​The past couple years I have created a vision board and I do really enjoy that process and the diversity of it.  For me it usually encompasses goals that are personal, family centered, and business related.  I hang it in my closet where I see it in the mornings and evenings (sometimes more).  It seems to be a great visual reminder of what is important to me so I don't forget in the day to day hustle.  I also love that if my goals shift I can just adjust.  Nothing says what you put on your vision board is permanent.  The vision board is meant to keep you pushing towards goals that work for you. 

​I think it's important to remember that progress happens in the small steps that lead to larger distances so our small steps DO make a difference!  My final reminder is to give yourself grace if you slip up or if things don't go perfectly the way you want.  We are all human and just because things aren't going perfectly or you have had a set back it doesn't mean you should give up.  Maybe it's just time to reevaluate and reset! 

I would love to hear your thoughts...
​Do you set resolutions? intentional words? Goals?  Vision Boards? 
Is the new year just another day for you?