Setting that Goal
It’s not a new year, new you!
Happy New Year! I always find it motivating that so many people set goals to better themselves and create a year full of growth. Let me start by saying that there is absolutely nothing wrong with setting goals and getting motivated. That is not what this post is about. It is more directed at the idea that with a new year comes a “new you”.
You know what I’m talking about. The Instagram and Facebook post with the caption “New Year, New Me!” I know that the intentions behind that might be about motivation, but it does make me wonder, “Why can’t we just focus on improvement instead of making a complete 180 and changing everything about ourselves?” There are so many wonderful things about ourselves that become overshadowed when we only focus on what we want to change.
I think that instead of focusing on everything that we want to change and resenting the things that stand in our way, we need to be looking for the opportunities for growth and jumping on them when they arrive! If we can’t find the opportunities, then we need to create our own!
Here’s an example: a very common goal for the new year is to get in shape. Great goal! Being healthy has so many positive benefits! The hardest thing after creating a goal is starting on it. You can make plan after plan and buy some new workout clothes, but it is always daunting to go after a new goal. One opportunity that might come your way is a friend signing up for a 5K and inviting you along. Maybe you got a pass for a free class at a local kickboxing club. Don’t let these opportunities pass you by! You set the goal, now go after it! Yes, this is new territory and you won’t be the best the first time you go and probably not even the second time either. But neither were the other people in the group fitness class, people running at the park, lifting weights, etc. Everyone starts somewhere! Don’t be afraid to start! Take the first step and then the next step, before you know it you’ll be reaching that goal.
It’s not a new year, new you. It’s a new year full of new opportunities for growth and progress. Remember, you are setting this goal NOT because you want to change everything about yourself. You were amazing last year and will be amazing this year! Set that goal for the right reasons and take the first step, you’ve got this :)
