January is behind us. Like a flash of lightning, we went from starting a fresh new year, with all its hopes and dreams, to “just another day” in a long line of days trudging along. Yikes! That sounds bleak. But here in reality, it’s easy to lose focus on our goals. Distractions abound (hello social media, I’m looking at you). Hiccups in our plans throw us off our stride and suddenly, resolutions that we set with the best of intentions are now distant memories. Instead we trudge through the business of day-to-day life. But it doesn’t have to be that way! February is the new January. At least, it can be if we make it.
So let’s do it! Let’s reclaim our lost resolutions!
Where to start…
Have you ever done a “year in review” when you transition into you new planner? It’s a great way to see how far you’ve come. Why not do a mini-one every month so you can make adjustments along the way? Then the end of the year won’t be such a surprise, and you’ll have a solid grasp of what you want going forward.
As devoted planners and bullet journal enthusiasts, we have a great tool in front of us to help us do this very thing. Now is a great time to take a look at the goals you set for yourself. How did you go about reaching them? Which parts of your plan worked and which didn’t? Where is the friction and how can it be fixed? Take a few minutes to write down the pros and cons of your approach and tweak the plan. Get some habit trackers out and start fresh.
Take Action
Sounds easy, right? “But what if I don’t have any idea on how to refine my system?” Okay, that’s a legit question. We aren’t living in the Matrix. You can’t just download a program and suddenly have all the answers, and they don’t come pre-loaded in our brains either! So, if you find yourself floundering and unsure what steps you can take to reach your goal, get help. Find a related podcast. Find a book in the format you love (digital, audio, print) and devour it to keep you motivated and give you actionable tips. Make a collection in your planner and take notes when you find a missing piece to your puzzle or an inspiration for your journey.
Life is full of distractions and you won’t always take the straight path to accomplishing your goals. The good news is, you can’t lose if you keep moving forward. The only time you are at risk is when you give up. So keep on keeping on. A little effort every day will move you forward toward your goals, and a little fine tuning along the way will give you more reward for less effort.
Here’s a summary of the ideas above. Remember – enjoy the journey!
Resolution Tips:
- Don’t give up!
- Use Collections to brainstorm
- Find Podcasts and books to inspire & motivate
- Do a monthly check in and find your friction points
- Use habit trackers to track your progress