HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I cannot believe it’s already 2014! Where on earth did the time go?? It went by too fast if you ask me, but I am looking forward to this New Year.  It’s a New Year full of opportunities and….RESOLUTIONS!! Yep, I said the “R” word. 

            First thing’s first, Let’s define what a resolution is, shall we? According the Merriam Webster Dictionary a Resolution is; the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc. : the act of resolving something. So let’s not complicate things (I know mommies, we sometimes are guilty of that, LOL).  It’s the basic principle of resolving something in your life, and it could be anything. 

            Before I decided to write a post on this topic I had to do some serious soul searching in the process.  It wasn’t easy.  I had to sit back and reflect on my year, what did I do right, wrong, what can I do better, etcetera.  Naturally I think as moms and women we are very tough on ourselves, at least I know that I am.  However, when making resolutions it’s a good thing.  So check out five tips for setting goals that stick in 2014!

1. Set different categories for your goals

            When I realized I needed to put goal setting into perspective it really made me think outside the box.  Let me give you a few examples of this; personal, home, hobby, family, spiritual, fitness, and the list can go on depending on the person.  These were a few that came to my mind immediately when I set my own goals.  These are some of the areas I can improve on, so it’s a personal choice depending on you and your goals. 

2.  Set deadlines

            Every year I say: “I want to lose weight” This is a great goal, and I honestly have never stuck to it.  How do you lose weight? Well you can start by eating right and making healthier choices (Something I always fail to do, which I why I am telling you all this).  So start there and set a deadline I am going to give up soda for one month, then once the month is up, give it up for another month, and so on.  Does this make sense?

3.  Be realistic with yourself and your goals. 

            I am a realist, however I sometimes live in a fantasy world too.  This year I tried to create goals that I can actually achieve.  I know that you are thinking you can do anything you put your mind to, and yes this is completely true.  However with a busy schedule of two kids and one on the way, it was important for me to set goals based on time and my personal availablity to those goals.  I will share one of my goals Is to be consistent and set a realistic schedule for myself and my kids.  It’s not easy to do, even if you do stay home, I actually think it’s harder when you’re home because no one is forcing you to do stay on a schedule.  So that’s one of my goals for my household. 

4.  Remember, you’re not perfect so it’s Ok to be honest with yourself

            This was a hard one for me.  I mean I know I am not perfect, or am I? Just kidding, no one is perfect and we all can improve on things in our lives.  That’s the great thing about a new year.  I really had to think about things I wanted to change or improve in my life.  I had to sit back and ask myself: “are you doing your best, are you being the best you can be”? And once I really thought about it and was honest, I didn’t like my own answer.  I want to be a better wife, mom, daughter…the list goes on. We can’t be perfect beings however, we can still strive to be better.  Agree?

5.  Write down your goals and check them off as you go

            With technology we have smart phones, iPads, iPods, and apps like Evernote.  Well I think all of those additions to the technology world are great, however let’s take it back a little “old school” and write down with pen and paper our goals for the year.  I personally love to write, I love pens, and stationary,these are some of my favorite things so this was very natural for me.  I shared some of my goals with my husband, while other things I kept to myself and this is ok in my opinion.  You can keep your list in your wallet, on your mirror, or in a notebook, whichever works best for you.

            So here’s to 2014, a great year full of life, prosperity, and personal growth.  As moms, we can sometimes lose ourselves because we are so busy with our little ones.  It happens to me on a daily basis, where am I going, what am I doing with my life.  But we can still be goal oriented and ultimately better.  So let’s put 2013 behind us and move on to a better us!

            Thanks for stopping in Mommies, for more tips and tools like this continue to read and share my blog with other mommies.  I am so excited for this year and to help and encourage mommies!

XOXO,

Reina