New Year, New Me

You are not doing this for anyone else — you are doing it for yourself.

New year, new me. That’s what we all say, right?

Well, this year, instead of thinking we are just going to achieve our goals miraculously, why not make this year a little different and make plans for how we will reach our goals. I’m all for shooting high with our goals for 2021 and making it the best year ever. But the only way we can get there is through planning and the motivation and willpower to keep moving forward.

First you have to decide what the end goal is. And you have to have a good solid reason why this goal is important to you. The more valid reasons, the better. Then write the goal down in three places you are going to see every day. This will keep you reminded and focused every day on what you are trying to do to better yourself. Place a copy in your car or at your workspace so that you keep your goal fresh in your mind.

Next, make a reasonable plan on how to reach each goal. Let’s say your goal is to be able to meditate for an hour each day at a given time by the end of the year. You could start the year off in January by meditating for 5 minutes at a time twice a week. Each month, add more time as you slowly reach your goal of a full hour.

This same method can be used for losing weight and working out. Many of us make the mistake of taking on too much right at the start of January. If you want to establish good gym habits and have a regular daily routine, don’t start with the expectation of doing it every day. If you have never had a regular routine of going to the gym or working out, try going to the gym 2 – 3 times a week to start. Once you have done that for a couple of weeks or months, add another day to your schedule. Habits that will stay with you are built slowly.

Finally, you need to have the self-motivation to push yourself to the goals that you want to achieve. You are not doing this for anyone else — you are doing it for yourself. If you set your goals around someone else, it is almost impossible to achieve them. The only person that is stopping you from achieving your goals is you. “It’s mind over matter.” The person that is holding you back is you. Your mind is a powerful place. Point it in one direction with clear steps and see it work.

Once you learn to make stepping-stones to reach your goals, and stay with them, you will be unstoppable.

Picture of Kate Gibson

Kate Gibson

Picture of Kate Gibson

Kate Gibson

In the know

Related Stories

The Grandma Mystique | Palmetto Bella

The Grandma Mystique

What is it? This Grandma Thing? I’d heard other women talk about how amazing it was to be a grandmother, and, when they talked about their grandchildren, they seemed completely, almost embarrassingly, smitten. I really didn’t think that would happen to me — until it did. But, how? Why? For one thing, grandmahood is the ultimate do-over. Even the best parents are only operating by trial and error, and the errors, unfortunately, have really loud voices. By the time we’re grandparents, however, we’ve garnered a bit of wisdom and perhaps some confidence as well. We see that, despite our many flaws and failures, we’ve managed to raise law-abiding citizens who

Read More »
Memorial Day | Palmetto Bella

Memorial Day

Marines in dress uniform lead the parade Senior citizens seek shelter in the shade Scouts march in step along with high school bands City officials greet the public in the reviewing stands. Just across the way among the flag-waving public stage Stands an old veteran, stooped and bearing the burden of age Suddenly he stands erect, his right hand raised in salute As Old Glory passes, he offers his valiant tribute. His left hand whisks away a tear from his eye as he recalls those to whom he never said “Goodbye.” From Flanders Field where the poppies grow To Arlington, its pristine white crosses row upon row From the flag

Read More »
Shooting Down Fear | Palmetto Bella

Shooting Down Fear

Fear of the unknown can be quite the compelling catalyst. It is easy to put a feeling on the top shelf, pushed as far back as it can go, in that out-of-the-way closet that is never opened. When it does arise, you quickly avert recognition of said feeling and wait for it to pass from your field of view. This is what the thought of holding a firearm was like for me. I was never really exposed to firearms growing up. My father hunted dove with his shotgun when I was younger. Until I moved out to go to college, the shotgun stayed zipped up in a bag, standing upright

Read More »
Whatcha Gonna Name the Baby? | Palmetto Bella

Whatcha Gonna Name the Baby?

If I had a quarter for every time I was asked this question, I could have paid for my child’s college education. Names are interesting. Southerners love to unearth the family Bible and hunt for names or find old church cemeteries and read tombstones. Charleston people like to use street names; I can make fun of Charlestonians since I am one. Meet my son Ashley Tradd Beufain Smith. Our daughter’s name will be Calhoun Vandeshorst Lockwood Ravenel. My high school bud, Dr. George Gratzick has a great suggestion for twin boys. He said to name one twin Heyward and the other Ulysses. Just yell “hey, you” when you forget which

Read More »