Are you making a new years resolution? As we enter a brand new year, many of us are thinking of improvements that we can make in the next 12 months. But with statistics showing that fewer than 10% of resolutions are successful, how can we set ourselves up for success?

January calendar page on a clipboardI have been setting new years resolutions for myself for as long as I can remember. But it was only by adopting the methods below that I was able to make lasting changes. Whether or not you have a new years resolution, the ten tips below will help you to be more intentional about your life and your goals. Try them all, or pick one – it’s up to you! But please let me know how you get on. I would love to hear what worked for you.

My 10 tried-and-tested ways to smash your goals this year!

Review your last year: Start off by reviewing what worked (and what didn’t work) for you in the last 12 months. Recognise what you do well, what you love, what motivates you… and be honest about the things you don’t enjoy. Your resolution is a life change – so make sure it’s a change that you really want, and are willing to work hard for.

Make a plan: To make real, lasting change you need a plan. You need something to aim for, but also a roadmap to show you how to get there. Decide where you want to be in 12 months time and write it down. How are you going to get there? These are you goals. Make sure they are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely). Then break them down into a series of smaller, “bite-sized” actions to set your path.

Big goals, small actions: Your goals should be big. Big enough to scare you! But you are not going to reach your goal overnight. The route to your goal is through a series of smaller actions, so start breaking it down into all the steps you need to take in order to meet your goal. Then tackle them one by one. Schedule time in your calendar for each step, and add them to your to-do list. For example, if your goal is to get more organised this year, your steps might be to assess the areas you want to work on, discuss your plans with your household, set a timescale, read some blogs on the topic, research professional organisers in your area, schedule a consultation, make time in your diary, etc.

Bunch of red tulipsKeep a to-do list that works: It may be comforting to brain-dump everything you have to do onto one long list, but this can be intimidating and is unrealistic. No one can achieve everything on their to-do list in one day, so why put yourself under that kind of pressure? By all means keep a “Master To-Do List” – but focus your daily goals by writing an achievable daily to-do list. Writing my daily to-do list each morning helps me to focus on what needs to be done that day, without being haunted by everything else on my Master list.

Share your goals: Give yourself some accountability and share your goals with your friends, colleagues and family. A resolution shared becomes more real, and you’ll gain a whole team of people to support you.

Support others: Chances are, you’re not the only person in your family, workplace or social circle who is committing to a resolution this year. Become part of their support squad too. By listening to and supporting someone else, you’ll be more aware of your own goals.. And if you can find someone with similar goals to yours, so much the better!

Cup of tea resting on two notebooks and a grey blanket
Journal:
Resolutions work best when you write them down. You’ll need somewhere to set out your plan, list your action steps, make your to-do lists, keep a diary, jot down your thoughts and save all your ideas all in one place. There’s nothing like the empty, crisp white pages of a new journal to inspire me. The infinite possibilities of a brand new journal are the most exciting part of a new year! I keep a bullet journal – a notebook where I can keep all of this in one place. Don’t be put off by all the amazingly creative and pretty bullet journal pages on Instagram. A bullet journal is at its heart just a simple method of keeping everything easily accessible in one notebook. Make it as simple or as fancy as you wish!

Start a blog: If you want to broaden your experience through your resolution, why not consider writing a blog? The internet and social media often get a bad rap – but they also give wider opportunities for connection. They allow you to easily seek out others on a similar journey. By writing authentically and engaging with others, an online platform can provide both accountability and a support network.

The word grace written in black calligraphy over a blue 2016

One Little Word: If you are looking for more of a “theme” to your year, a little bit of guidance, try picking a focus word for the next 12 months. Designer and memory-keeper Ali Edwards first started choosing an annual One Little Word back in 2006, and it has caught on around the world. My word was “Choose” in 2015 and “Grace” in 2016 (you can read about it here) and they both served me well. I didn’t pick a OLW in 2017, and I felt its absence. So in 2018 I went back to a One Little Word to guide my year, and as I was building my business in a new country, “Connect” seemed the obvious choice. And wow – I’ve made some amazing connections over the past 12 months! I’m so happy that I welcomed a One Little Word back into my life in 2018… and I’m finalising my word for 2019 as I type. (More about that on the blog soon!) Would a One Little Word help to guide you this year? Does anything immediately spring to mind?

Declutter and get organised!: And finally, pay attention to your physical surroundings. It’s hard to keep a new resolution if you are not set up from the start to smash it! Decluttering will ensure you have the space in your life to really focus on what matters – the changes you are making. Whether your primary resolution is to get organised or not, setting up your surroundings and resources to give you the best possible start is a must. For example, if your resolution is to eat healthier, you might first declutter your kitchen cupboards. Fill them with healthy food. Write a weekly menu plan. Schedule your weekly food shop so that you have all the right ingredients when you want them. Do everything you can to make keeping your resolution as easy for you as possible.

If you need help with decluttering and getting organised, schedule a free of charge consultation today, to find out how I can help you smash your goals in 2019!

Are you making any new years resolutions this year? What are they?
How are you setting yourself up for success, for the next 12 months and beyond?Fan of calendar pages

If you would like to discuss your organising goals for 2019, or find out how More Organised can help set you up for success, please get in touch to arrange your free of charge consultation.

These gorgeous calendar pages are produced and sold by Glady at Heart Take The Wheel. If you are looking for a simple, printable calendar, you can purchase them here. (In the spirit of full disclosure, I am sharing these purely because I love them and think you will too. Glady has kindly allowed me to use these cute images, but otherwise I have received no benefit from sharing them with you. For further information, please read the Disclosure section of my blog below)