First–Happy New Year! I can’t believe it is 2018. Isn’t it easy to get excited and set a long list of goals and aspirations at the beginning of the new year when you have the most inspiration? New Year, New Me is in full effect! I am an avid list maker and will find any excuse to create one (or even worse add items to the list just to cross them off) so I love making my list of goals. I used to struggle to follow through and complete my goals and end up uninspired.
We all know that a lot of people have fitness goals at the beginning of the year and then by February the gym is back to the usual crowd. What happened to all the people that were so eager in January? This year I am determined to make this year one of my most productive yet and not fall off!
Here are a few of my personal tips to stay inspired and motivated all 2018 so you can check off everything on your list!
Be realistic
You know yourself better than anyone else and you know what is attainable. If you normally wake up at 9 am you can’t just set the goal of waking up at 5 am and be surprised when you press snooze every time the alarm rings. Maybe start with 8 am until you can work up to that 5 am wake up time. Or if you make a list of things-to-do, having a list of 3 things to do instead of 10 will seem much more achievable. Start with small steps and work your way up!
Don’t beat yourself up for not checking off everything
When you get frustrated about not doing all of the things on your to-do list it can be easy to become discouraged from even attempting that level of productivity again. You also have to see the positive in your day and appreciate all of the things you did accomplish. I have to use this often when I only get a couple of things done for the blog because those items took a bit longer than anticipated. As long as you have progress that is all that matters! I constantly have to remind myself that I’m right where I need to be in life, so things will get done when they need to be.
Give yourself an incentive or penalty
- Treat yo self! When you do achieve goals make sure you reward yourself! It might not always be buying something new, it could be just taking some extra time to watch your favorite show on Netflix.
- One small penalty I have for myself is when I miss the gym I have to pay $5. Both my Fiancé and I contribute to a piggy bank. A friend of mine and her boyfriend started it so we thought we would be up for the challenge as well. As soon as I think about skipping out I reconsider because I don’t want to be the one to pay! You can use the money for a date night or last time we cashed out we used it to just have cash on hand when we traveled to Miami.
Accountability Partners
You need someone who will tell you about yourself. If you have a couple people that you trust to share your goals with, recruit them to help keep you in check! I’m thankful for my tribe of people who are always on me about getting things done. Truthfully, I wouldn’t have even launched my blog when I did. I have people that told me when I needed to get my life together.
Remember your ‘Why’
Why do you want to workout 3 times a week, eat healthily or save more money? For me, I created this blog to share my life, my strategies to adulting, and to inspire women. That alone pushes me to create content and make sure that the people can get what they need from me!
What strategies do you have to stay inspired? Share them below! Make sure you follow me on my social media! Or share this if it was useful 🙂
Happy New Year!!!
I loved this blog. I’m a list maker myself and I always have to check myself for adding too many or just not being realistic. I started the 3 goal thing about a year ago and I can honestly say that it has helped a lot. I can see myself being more productive and really getting things done. I shared the tip about the gym with my girls. They’re all trying to save & get back to working out, so it’s perfect!!!
Thanks for this!
I’m glad that strategy works for you as well! I feel so much better crossing off a shorter list!
i like your suggestion to make a to-do list with 3 things instead of 10. i feel a lot more accomplished for the day already lol
haha yes! I agree. then I just have a better attitude all around
Rewarding yourself with something that cost you zero dollars is essential! I will resort to this type of treating myself instead of spending some coin lol
Oh yes! I had to find a new strategy haha
My biggest problem is I have so much momentum at the beginning of the year and decline throughout the year but these tips will definitely help! Thank you!
I’m glad this helped!
We sometimes have some aggressive goals and when we don’t hit those goals we become deflated. We gotta keep going and moving to the next step. We will fail a lot but will never succeed if we quit.
I totally agree!
I thought I was the only one that uses money to penalize myself when it comes to reaching goals. Whenever I borrow money out of my savings I charge myself and that makes me think twice about the reasoning about borrowing.
Nope, you’re not alone lol That’s a good strategy to use as well!
I absolutely love your point about giving yourself an incentive or penalty. This is something I definitely want to implement this year. Great post overall!!
Thank you!!
Love the idea of an accountability partner in crime! Somone who is in it with you! Great tips, lady!
Thanks 🙂 glad you enjoyed!
I love all of these. Totally helpful in keeping people inspired year round.
Love all of these! And it is good to remember the Why. I plan on putting my Why’s on post its around the house.
That’s a great idea!
These are such great tips! I really do need help getting through that mid-year hump.
I love this idea of giving $ 5 when you skip out on the gym lol…thats great. You definitely have to set realistic goals for sure~!