No Resolution No problem
“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible” –Tony Robbins
News flash: it doesn’t need to be a new year to set out some life goals.
While some might be living the high life on NYE, ready to jump into a juice cleanse on 1st January, you might still have the kids’ spillages to mop up, work to catch up on, and the weekly clean to do, all before you get ready for your only night out all week (or month!). Adding something onto your to-do list right now might not be on the cards. And that’s ok!
Here’s a quick guide on how to create realistic goals that work for you whenever you feel ready. And a few suggestions of some achievable self-care, mindfulness, travel and exercise goals.
Goal Setting
Step 1: dream big and filter with reality. The size of the goal doesn’t matter but the achievability of it does.
Step 2: think about why you want to achieve your goal, how it will benefit your health or lifestyle, and what you need to do to get there.
Step 3: break down your goal(s) into smaller steps that are specific, measurable and time-based.
Step 4: write down your goals and put them where you’ll see them to increase your chances of sticking to them.
Practice self-care more often
Self-care can be anything that benefits your mental and emotional health. But the more obvious options, like a massage or mani-pedi, might not always be the easiest to do. The way to make self-care a regular part of your life is to carve out a small window of me-time to do the things you love. Here are a few easy wins:
- Take a bubble bath with a book or a box set and a glass of your favourite drink.
- Don’t miss your favourite exercise class or go for a run.
- Put your headphones on and listen to an artist you love.
- Pick up a pen, brush or pencil and write, draw or paint.
- Set a date in stone to go for a walk, coffee or lunch with a friend.
Set aside time for mindfulness
Mindfulness can help us to understand ourselves better and enjoy our lives a little more. When we practice mindfulness, we are fully engaged with what we’re doing in that moment. The most common form of meditation is a technique called focused attention:
- Start by focusing your attention on your breathing, particularly the rise and fall of your chest.
- Return your focus to your breath whenever you get distracted or your mind starts to wander.
- Try this for three minutes twice a day whenever you need a boost.
Enjoy travelling
Travelling is wonderful, but with your busy agenda it can be difficult to fit it in. The benefits, however, can help you break away from your unrelenting routine. A few easy steps to getting yourself (and the family or friends) away from home are:
1.Saving: try to put £50 a month aside into your own savings account for six months. Don’t be lured into spending it on anyone or anything else (easier said than done, we know!). You’ll have £300 to spend on your travels.
2.Research: dedicate some time to finding cheap flights, package deals or AirBnB rentals. It can help to go for the self-catering option to save a little money while you’re away.
3.Spending money: if you’re travelling with friends or family, put half or three-quarters of your spending money into a kitty, and keep the rest to spend on yourself. It’s important your money and time is not all dedicated to group activities and that you find a few moments for yourself.
Regular exercise
We are not here to preach to the converted. We all know that regular exercise can combat stress, increase your energy levels, improve your sleep and boost your immunity. So, here are a few ways to keep your exercise schedule on track and regular.
- Subscribe to online exercise classes. There are loads of brilliant free subscriber channels for you to do quick and easy workouts at home. One of many is Joe Wicks (aka The Body Coach)whose YouTube account has lots of great classes that you can enjoy daily.
- Set aside time. Work your exercise around your busy schedule by writing it down on a calendar. It will soon become apparent that you might have a spare 30 minutes for you to close your bedroom door and get your workout done.
- Get a workout buddy. One of the most motivating ways to make your exercise regular is to be held accountable by a friend, colleague or partner. Make a plan with them and stick to it.
- Replace your workout. If you’re not going to able to make your workout one day (let’s face it, this is going to happen from time to time), try to replace it with a short walk, a quick cycle or a yoga session. Every little helps!