New year, new goals, and how to keep them

Most transformations take time, but many people see New Year's Day as a fitting moment to get started. They plan resolutions to change their life for the better. Whatever transformation you're aiming for, be it educational, physical, mental or something else, determination and hard work will help you set a goal and achieve it.

Setting Your Goals

By defining your goals and creating an action plan, you can be the best version of you in the coming year. There are three key steps to setting goals.

Step 1: Think Big

Thinking about a broad goal helps define what you want and why you want it. Are you looking to be healthier, or do you want to learn something new? Is there something else you want to change?

For example, you could set a goal like, "I want to try a new sport because I've always been curious about it."

It could be tempting to try to change every part of your life at once, but that can quickly get overwhelming, making it more likely you'll give up. Instead, focus on just one area of your life at a time, such as getting healthier or improving your grades.

Step 2: Break Up Your Big Goal Into Smaller Steps

Once you set your overall goal, break it down into smaller manageable goals. If, for example, you want to improve your mind, you may set the goals 0f reading more books, learning a new language and trying a new class.

Make your steps as small as you need. Getting started is the hardest part, so small first steps will make them feel more doable. You can always ramp up as time goes on.

Step 3: Make An Action Plan

Research resources, set dates and make a schedule in advance to make sure you have regular time dedicated to your goals.

For example, if you're learning a new language, your action plan may be researching different language learning websites and apps or making a specific study schedule. If your goal requires money, make a plan to pay for it.

Set a timeline. Before you begin, research a realistic timeline for your goals, and remember that transformations can be ongoing, which means they may take longer than a year.

Getting Started

Gather any supplies you need. Do online research to get ideas. Make a list of the items and get them as soon as possible. It does not have to cost money to get started on your goal. Your local library will have many resources that can help, and many are available for free.

If you want to learn a computer software language, make sure to get an instructional book and find out where you can access a computer. You can even make this the very first step in your goal, which will help you feel like you're already working towards it.

Start with your first, most manageable goal and get into a steady schedule before adding more into the mix. Think about learning a language: you start with simple words before you try to read a long book.

Finding a partner with a similar goal can keep you motivated. Going through challenges with someone you trust, like a friend or family member, can give you strength, motivation and make it fun.

You may also find a club or shared interest group. You can speak and practice with others who understand your ambitions and may be able to help find creative solutions.

Working Through Your Action Plan

Any major goal will feel challenging at first. Focus on completing the first item on your schedule without worrying about the next one, then move on once you've completed it.

Find small rewards for moments when you accomplish something in your plan. Find rewards you truly enjoy, and use them to congratulate yourself on your hard work.

Try something like playing your favorite song, taking a long bath, watching your favorite show or something else you enjoy to motivate yourself.

Keeping Yourself Motivated

Track your progress to stay on schedule. If you are looking to get in shape, for example, track how far you biked or ran with charts and maps. If you're learning a new skill, try tracking progress by writing a sentence or two every day about what you've learned and what comes easily now. Consider using a goal-tracking app such as Achiever or Stick to track your progress easily.

Talk about your goal. Let people know how far you have come. Tell friends and family about your progress. Another idea is to start a blog or website dedicated to your journey.

Set specific times to check on your goals every few weeks. Set reminders on your calendar.

Ask yourself, "How am I doing with this goal? Am I happy with my actions and their outcomes?"

As you progress, your goals are likely to change. That is normal. The best thing about goals is that you can always make new ones.