Goal Gang
The new year is upon us, and the resolutions are flying left, right, and center! If you've been here a hot minute, you know I'm not a fan of resolutions. They are restrictive and hardly conducive to a healthy balanced life. But what if you've got something you want to accomplish? What do you do when you have dreams but aren't feeling particularly resolute?
Enter; goals! I'm sure you've heard the words "goal" and "resolution" used interchangeably, but they are not the same! A resolution is a firm decision about something you do or do not want to do. For example, saying you do not wish to participate in diet culture anymore is a resolution. On the other hand, a goal is a statement of what you want to achieve, the target of your ambition, endeavour, or desired outcome. In other words, a resolution is something you take away, while a goal is something you want to add!
Below are some tips to help you create your goals in healthy and sustainable ways on the road to achieving your dreams.
Take some time and write down everything you've achieved up until now. Starting from a place of accomplishment will help you see just how far you've come and allow you to begin from a place of power.
After writing down all you've achieved to date, take some more time to practice gratitude and revel in your triumphs. Savour this moment to celebrate you and all you've accomplished! Even if you have only one item on the list, acknowledge it and take pride in how far you've come!
Now it is time to add to the list! Start by writing down everything else you want to accomplish in your life. Seriously. Include all the things you want to achieve across your entire lifespan. Take your time with this task and think about everything you want in your life and wish to attain.
Next, separate your goals into categories or sub-groups that make the most sense for you. For instance, add a column for significant dreams, small-scale plans, and monthly, weekly, and daily goals. Find a breakdown that works for your life, and then place these goals somewhere you can access them easily. Write them down, keep them in a journal, calendar, or even on your phone. There are also many apps available to help you track your progress, so discover the best option for you and implement it.
Now that you have your lists decide how often you want to track your progress. For example, suppose you are the kind of person who likes a rigorous timetable. In that case, you can incorporate your daily goals into your existing schedule. On the other hand, a monthly check-in may work best if you are more relaxed or have less time available. Tracking your progress will keep it all in perspective and allow you to make adjustments where necessary.
Remember that you do not have to make goals at the start of a new year. It's important to remember that time, as we know it, is simply a construct we adhere to, assigning meaning to a meaningless concept. Italian theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli opined that time was subjective, and even Einstein saw time as relative. In other words, we give meaning to the idea of a new year when time is simply a continuum. You can start tracking your goals from any point in the year and do not need to wait until the new year to begin reaching for your dreams. Take stock of where you've been until now, and let that guide your progress toward the things you want to accomplish in your life.
Last, and most importantly, leave room for flexibility and self-compassion. Life has a funny way of knocking us off course, so adapting to these changes is one of the best ways to meet your goals realistically. Be open and willing to adjust your plans when faced with obstacles. Also, recognize that you may only accomplish some items on your list over your lifespan and that goals and dreams can change. Finally, be patient, practice gratitude, and honour your accomplishments as you go. You are a goddamn wonder; celebrate accordingly.
