Why Waiting Until January First is a Good Idea
Whatever day motivates you to get moving on your goals, is a great day to start. I'm just glad you are starting. The first step is always starting.
January 1st starts that work:
Each year, something I really look forward to is my annual review. I always do one for myself sometime in the month of December. I enjoy looking back and seeing where I was a year ago, where I was last quarter, what my goals and ambitions were for that year, and where I currently am. The information I take from these reviews help me create my plan for the next year. Come January 1st I'm ready.
Consider these before setting your goals:
What goals are you personally trying to accomplish? I recommend taking the time to think about what you want to do and where you want to go in life. Do you want to eat at a Michelin star restaurant? Fly a plane? Prevent disease? Slow down disease? Get a new job? Play with your grandchildren? Make more money? Have more energy? Achieve/maintain a healthy weight? Get promoted? These are all questions to sit with and consider before starting your goal setting process. I created a meditation to help work through some of these questions: Meditations by Krista (podia.com).
Think about how you are wanting to live and how you are living now. If the goals you aim to set for January 1st and your current habits and behaviors don't add up, consider the behaviors needed to change and the reasoning behind the change. Only you can choose what matters to you. And only you can take the daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly steps to create that life.
Tips for starting goals January 1st:
I’ve learned through time that it’s ok not to hit a goal, but what can you do to make sure you hit it for next year (or next week, next quarter, etc.)? Here is a link to my Instagram stories with how I create my weekly goal list: Stories • Instagram.
Make smaller goals to help you hit your yearly goals.
Review goals weekly to start. This will help you keep your motivation going.
Keep reviewing goals, even if you didn’t hit them. Edit and add to them to create success.
Come back to your “why” frequently. Like mentioned above, what is the reasoning behind the change?
Why today is just as good as January 1st:
January 1st isn't a magical date. The motivation to start January 1st may not last the rest of the year. This leads me to my next point.
When motivation is present don’t let it go! If you feel motivated right now, start right NOW. Today could be a better day than any Monday, 1st of the month, Tomorrow, or January 1st is.
Thinking about achieving these goals for the next 365 days right after the stress of the holidays can often times be overwhelming. Focus on today. Momentum is a powerful tool, but it has to start somewhere.
The new year doesn't change you, you change you
Last thoughts
In a world where we are surrounded by immediate gratification, we often put unneeded pressure on ourselves to achieve immediate results. We've all been here. I say today is the day we break the cycle and start working towards our goals one step at a time keeping in mind the bigger picture. Break down each goal to realistic daily/weekly steps that move you in the direction of the life you desire.
We currently have 30 days between now and January 1st. How much progress towards your goals can you make between now and then? How prepared will you be to start the New Year with the progress you were able to make these 30 days?
Each day we are presented with a new opportunity, and each day we have the power to make it the day we want.
Today is a great day to start working towards our goals. I believe January 1st can be a great day to start but I also believe that today holds the same power. Should the best version of yourself have to wait 30 days? What is your resistance to starting before then? I encourage you to start today. Even if that is listening to a meditation on goal setting, reviewing last year’s goals, creating new ones, or journaling about the reasoning behind your wanted goal changes. The decisions you make today have a ripple effect on the rest of your life. Take an active roll in your life and create your plan for success today. Remember, you are powerful. Set big goals and go after them!
We are promised this moment, never tomorrow. Treat every moment like January 1. Start now.
Want a comprehensive approach to your New Year goals where you look into optimizing the 6 pillars of health? Reach out or schedule your appointment today to find the accountability, support and resources to help you succeed in 2023.
In good health,
Dr. Krista, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C
"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out”-unknown