Going For The Goal

It’s that time of year when we make resolutions and set goals, which most of my content has revolved around lately. I recently listened to a social media influencer who shared this message with her followers: “You don’t have to change. You are perfect just the way you are. You don’t have to set any goals for the new year and yourself.”

While I completely agree that we are unique and wonderful just the way we are, I disagree with her opposition to goal-setting. Setting goals and striving for self-improvement is not a bad thing. It shows ambition and drive.

Setting goals doesn’t have to be a daunting task. We can make goals as minor or as lofty as we choose. We don’t have to set goals that lead us toward becoming someone we are not. Rather, we can set goals to continue being our magnificent selves. A goal doesn’t require a change. For example, continuing to live your life the way you are living now is a goal. You can set a goal to accomplish a major achievement or create a small improvement in one area of your life. 

Here are some examples of categories your goals may fall into:

• Financial Stability
  
• Material Items
  
• Education
  
• Physical Improvement
  
• Career Changes
  
• Vacation Destinations
  
• Self-Care
  
• Daily Habits
  
• Acts of Kindness
  
• Community Service
  

The options are endless. Goals can target habits we want to cut out of our lives or help us establish new, healthier habits. Research suggests that writing down your goals and outlining a path to achieve them will increase the likelihood of success. To help with tracking and setting your goals, get your copy of Kickstarting Wellness: A 26-Week Guided Self-Care Journal now! It’s a great tool to promote personal wellness and overall well-being.

We can even model goal-setting for our children and help them achieve their life plans. Check out CLI’s newest journal designed for adolescents, Staying Well: A Self-Care Journal for Teens.

Something important to remember is that it’s okay if you don’t meet your goal in the timeframe you originally set. Reevaluate your priorities, and keep trying to be the best version of yourself! That’s really what goals are about. 

What I have learned: Goals should be personalized to what YOU want, not what other people want for you. Writing down goals will help you achieve them.

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