New Year’s Goals, Not Resolutions

Every year I hear people talking about their New Year’s resolutions, but I never hear people talking about them in terms of goal-planning. Instead of setting resolutions that you’ll most likely forget about by February, set goals instead! Goals that are achievable, trackable, and have a timeline or set schedule are ones that tend to be more effective. I’m a competitive person, so if I were to pick any of these goals below (especially exercise) then I’d definitely enlist a friend to help keep me accountable!

Exercise

I know that almost everyone puts exercise on their New Year’s resolution list, so I had to include this one! This is perfect for the person that doesn’t know where to start or doesn’t want to head to the gym in busy January.

Nike Training Club is my favorite app to use for workout plans that are fast and effective. I tend to get bored with long reps of several workouts, but this uses short, quick bursts of repetition instead. This workout includes a warm-up and cool-down as well, so it’s perfect for the beginner that doesn’t know how to compile the ‘perfect workout routine.’

They even have bodyweight workouts if you don’t have any equipment. It’s a free app that you can take literally anywhere. I’ve been using it for a few years now and still return to it when I’m in an exercise rut.

Improve a skill

Whether it’s something creative or something technical, working on improving a skill is a goal that’s definitely attainable and trackable. Personally, I plan on doing something that’s creative every day. Whether it’s hand-lettering, sketching, or photography, I’m going to put it all in one sketchbook so I can look back and see my progress throughout the year.

Doing a 365 project can seem daunting, so even if you minimized it to doing 2 creative things weekly, there’s still enough material to track progress. Be sure to document your skill to see your improvement at the end of the year!

Hydration

I’m the worst at drinking water, but once I got a Hydroflask for my birthday it helped me start the habit of regular hydration. I think that buying a cute water bottle- especially one that keeps your water cold for 24 hours -is one of the most effective ways to start drinking water regularly.

I carry this water bottle around with me at school and don’t have any other cups in my bedroom, so refilling this is a must! A S’well water bottle is a super trendy option if you’re wanting to go for function and fashion.

If you need an extra reminder, the app Plant Nanny has a virtual plant that either grows or dies depending on how much water you drink. It’s essentially a water tracker but seeing your plant die adds some extra guilt and motivation to keep drinking.

Giving back

The holiday season spurs a mentality of giving back, but this is something that can absolutely last all year long! There are so many ways to give back in your community with an organization that you love.

If you’re in college, there’s most likely an organization at your campus that facilitates volunteer coordination around your community. My sorority requires volunteer hours (which I love), so this semester I volunteered as a kindergarten soccer coach with my college town’s Parks and Rec department. In the past, I also volunteered as a dog-walker with the Lawrence Humane Society, which was an easy way to give back.

There are so many options around your community to give back! If you Google for a cause that you’re passionate about, then add your location, you’re sure to find results for nonprofits or organizations that would love your help.

What’s your New Year’s goal for 2017?

xo, Hannah