It’s that time of year again! That glorious time to look ahead and plan how we’d like to change our habits, our health, our eating, and/or our bodies to be different. 

2021 is just around the corner – finally. 

*Deep sigh* 

We made it, friends. Looking back on the year we’ve had, it’s no surprise that we’re extra excited to leave 2020 behind and start fresh. 

Like a blank sheet of paper in a crisp, new journal, the new year is an opportunity to turn things around for the better. Whether it’s sleep, mood, energy, nutrition, or exercise and movement habits, the past year has undoubtedly made it difficult to take care of ourselves. 

And 2021 is looking like the year to finally get our health back. 

From goals to actions

As humans, we have a tendency to romanticize our new year’s goals. While sipping mulled wine and eating gingerbread cookies, the idea of reducing sugar and alcohol seems appealing. Maybe more appealing than it really is. “It’ll be a much-needed detox,” we tell ourselves. “It’s going to feel so good”. But that’s a thought for January 2nd (ok, January 3rd at the latest). 

Conversely, some of us see the “healthy thing” as taking away from something else we value, like social time or our favorite foods. It’s restrictive and awful. In an attempt to enjoy every last minute of pleasure and freedom, the holidays become a time of indulgence and “anything goes” because after this “everything goes”.

Neither mindset is conducive to effective goal-setting.

Ready, willing, able

There’s no sugar-coating it. When we are trying to change our body and health, we often need to make certain tradeoffs. For example, In order to lose weight, you may have to change your diet. And the truth is, not everyone is ready to change their diet. Not everyone is ready to go from goals (weight loss) to action (eat fewer gingerbread cookies). 

And that’s okay.

And if you are ready (high five), then have you thought about what you are willing and able to do in the service of that goal? If not, that’s okay! That’s part of the process when setting goals. Here are three simple questions to guide you.

Three questions to ask yourself before setting New Year’s goals

1. What do you want to do or change right now? This can change in the new year, but really consider this question right here in the moment. Pick a goal that you think will have a large and beneficial trickle-down effect on other aspects of your life. If you have a list of goals, just move this one to the top of the list and mark it as a top priority. Or maybe it’s a general goal. 

2. What are you willing to do for that goal right now? There are no right or wrong answers here. Just honesty with yourself about what you are willing to do right now (not January 2021) for your goal. Pick a small, manageable action that you can easily and effortlessly sustain during the holidays. Seriously, when I say small, I mean, so small that you chuckle to yourself because it’s too easy. Think gold starts every day.

3. Most importantly, what are you not willing to do for that goal right now? The more truthful you are with yourself, the easier it will be to align your actions with your values and goals. What’s realistic right now, considering the things that may block you or work against you right now? 

And guess what? You just practiced a really powerful tool on goal setting. With a better understanding of your current goals, limitations, and priorities, you have the choice to take action today. And in the new year, you can build on this success. 

Of course, this can all change in the new year. Luckily, you can revisit this process any time you like. Simply reevaluate your goals and what you are willing – and not willing – to do for that goal. 

Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash