We’re almost halfway through 2021, but today we want to talk about New Year’s Resolutions. Weird, we know, but we think it’s time to start redefining the concept of resolutions and goal setting overall.
Did you know that most people give up on their New Year’s Resolutions by January 19th? When we make resolutions, we commit too much too fast without giving ourselves the time to create long-lasting habits. We treat resolutions like an all-out sprint when they should be a steady jog, and we overthink without enough action.
But resolutions don’t have to happen once a year. Who said New Year’s Day was the only time to plan out your goals and list ways to improve your life? This year, we’re encouraging our readers to make some mid-year resolutions. The middle of the year is a great time to take inventory of your life and evaluate how far you’ve come and how far you have left to go. Even though you might have given up on your fitness plans or your meditation schedule back in February, there’s still time to pick up where you left off, but in a healthier and more educated way. Here are a few ways to use writing to reach your mid-year goals:
Write down your goals
Writing down your goals makes you 42% more likely to achieve them. It creates a connection between your mind and your body, making your goals more actionable and forcing you to begin brainstorming and strategizing ways to see them through. One of the biggest reasons people give up on their resolutions is that they forget, get distracted, or don’t track their progress. Putting your goals on paper will help you keep your focus and motivation.
Track your progress on paper
Mid-year resolutions don’t need to follow any specific format. We suggest you do a weekly or monthly check-in with yourself. Write down how you’re feeling, what you can improve on, and adjust your goals as time goes on. There’s no shame in giving yourself a break for good behavior or raising the stakes if you set the bar too low the first time. Tracking your progress is a great way to stay motivated and allows you to notice minor improvements that you would have otherwise taken for granted.
Make your goals specific and measurable
“Eat healthier” won’t give you much to work with unless you write down a detailed strategy along with it. Your goals should be specific and measurable to make them more attainable. You’re free to update and change them as needed.
If you’re a writer, you probably aspire to write every day, but that can be quite a huge commitment if you’re starting from zero. Instead, set a goal for yourself to write for 15 minutes a day, 3 times a week. Once you’ve gotten yourself into a groove, increase to 4 days a week, or 25 minutes a day. Small steps can add up to huge improvements, and the more you have to show for your work, whether that’s writing, journaling, or listing, you’ll get there with dedication.
Today, sit back and reflect on how you’re feeling and where you’re at in the year. Are you happy with your achievements? Or is there more to be done? Do some reflective writing to get a better picture of your emotions and aspirations. If you don’t know where to begin, take a look at our stream of consciousness blog. Writing can bring you a sense of mental clarity and awareness, allowing you to strategize more easily when meeting goals. The key here is being mindful and using writing as a powerful tool to meet your objectives.
If consistent writing is your goal, Opyrus provides inspiring prompts and innovative courses to encourage your quest as a writer. To join for free, click here.
