Every year I talk about the lessons from the year, but I rarely if ever write about what I want out of next year and how to make goals for yourself.

Something I learned this year from a few different people off Tik Tok, is that we can’t go straight to climbing Mount Everest. We have to start small and take baby steps in order to stay consistent and achieve the climb. For some people, consistency looks different every day as well. The goal may be achieved but the way it is done is different than the day before. Our goals have to be realistic to ourselves and our lifestyles.

I’m impatient, so consistency and baby steps are hard for me. This year was proof though that completing parts of something or doing it here and there is better than nothing at all. This year I got closer to my salary goals by increasing my pay rate through each job. I started exercising again, averaging twice a week- even though that wasn’t my original goal. I attended a music event and left the state once, which I though wasn’t going to happen at all. I’ve spent some time with friends both with and without my daughter. I stopped journaling and couldn’t pick up meditating, which are two things I wanted to be consistent with. I also didn’t read as many books as I hoped to, nor have I written as much.

Next year, my goals will build upon the goals I set for last year. Some will need some tweaking to be achievable. Some goals will be new. I like to have to goals for different areas of my life. It is also something my life coach/therapist has encouraged me to do. Making goals in this way makes you make certain aspects of your life a priority. I was tasked with making goals for myself, for my career, and for my daughter. What areas of your life are you focusing on?

If you want to make resolutions for the new year, but have trouble with where to begin, you can start by looking at the big picture. For example, I have goals of making writing a bigger priority. After having this thought, to make it achievable, I need to break it down into smaller tasks. I can do this by posting more. You also need to be specific. How often is more? I can do this by posting once a week. The idea is daunting since I rarely post once a month. So maybe I change it to twice a month on the same day at the same time. This is a baby step, and once I can do this, I can up the stakes to make it a weekly task.

Being specific, being realistic, and taking action is key to achieving your goals and New Year resolutions. This falls in line with manifestation. To manifest anything, you have to be specific enough about what you’re looking for, really believe you can have it, and make steps for making it possible. You cannot meet someone new if you don’t put yourself out there or open yourself up to receive it. You cannot read note if you don’t pick up a book.

2023 feels like it’s going to be a great year. I hope it will be for me and you. Let’s work on making 2023 a great year.