Smiling african business man look away dreaming working on laptop

How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions? While some may be #crushinggoals, others’ goals may just be crushed! Change is hard but it doesn’t have to be impossible. And, just because you slipped up over the weekend doesn’t mean you need to throw in the towel just yet. If you’ve found yourself wanting to toss your resolutions to the side, try instead to be a starter, not a quitter! Think about the following and see if you can reset and restart to crush your 2021 goals.

Why are you making the change?

It’s a simple question that’s incredibly weighted. Everyone has different reasons for their goals and that’s OK. The one thing you should avoid is doing it just to do it. If you are going to set goals for yourself, put forth effort to attain them. But, in doing so, you’ll want to remember your “why”. Try to understand why your goals will impact you, make a difference or help others. Having a purpose will help you push through days when you simply don’t feel like you are moving forward.

Rethink your strategy.

If you have already stopped working toward keeping your resolutions, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Put your plan together and be realistic. Consider what your normal days are like and then figure out how you can reach your goal every day. If it’s to exercise more, map out the days you plan on exercising and the types of exercise (i.e. M, W, F – Strength; T, Th, Sat –  Cardio). If you are trying to save money or pay down debt, look at what you want to save/pay off and then break down how much you need to save/pay off every paycheck and set up a side account to auto-deduct that amount. If you are trying to eat healthier, start meal prepping on the weekends. 

Consider the little things.

If you’ve had to readjust your strategy, remember to always consider the little things. The sum of the parts makes up the whole. So, focus on one or two goals to start. Then, make small adjustments — no need to go all in on the first day. Always be kind to yourself and make sure you track and celebrate your accomplishments — no matter how small!

Need some more inspiration? Check out the VEBA Resource Center blog or our YouTube channel for ideas on how to set and maintain your goals!