January usually means one thing: resolutions. And if you’re anything like me, you’re still in 2020, processing everything that’s happened. So the fact that it's 2022 and time to set goals, may not have you feeling super inspired, and that my friends, is totally ok!
Words by YK Daily's resident life coach Amira Mansour @the_communicationexpert
Give me one word about how you’re feeling this New Year. Have you reflected on your past year and already mapped out your 2022 goals? Or maybe the overwhelming pressure to set these huge goals makes you want to crawl back under the bed covers? Either way, you’re allowed to feel how you feel, and I’m not actually here to change your mind. Personally, I am a huge fan of goals and reflecting.
There can be something pretty cathartic about realigning your life according to your values at the beginning of a New Year. You may prefer goals over manifestations, and intentions over resolutions. If you know me, then by now you know that I’m big on being intentional with words, because there’s so much power behind them. In this case, it’s far more about what the word means to YOU.
Let me give you an example…
I love setting goals because it sets my soul on fire, (quite literally). It gives me a sense of achievement and keeps me super focused. However, this is hugely personal to me and aligns with my values. In other words it’s one of my strengths. If it doesn’t sit well with you, it may not be something you want to necessarily do. Although, something that also works for me is setting my goals in April, for two reasons; it’s my Birthday month, so feels like a natural start to a new year, and it’s also Spring, which again makes me feel like a new beginning. The good news is, YOU have permission to choose when, and how, you set your personal year up.
In addition to this, a great way to focus your year is by tapping into how you want to feel throughout the next 12 months. What are your non-negotiables? What are you going to commit to regardless of what happens? Choose a word that represents this; it could be something such as focus, fun, balance or growth, just to share a few. Then it’s about how you’re actions are going to help you cultivate this word throughout the year, in your friendships, relationships, career etc?
Now, whether you’re setting your goals for the year, or creating your manifestations, both come down to the small consistent action that you’re taking on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Sometimes it can be easy to lapse on actually checking in with your goals on a regular basis, so scheduling in time every 3 months to reflect can be very beneficial. Remember, your goals and manifestations can alter and evolve as you do.
Setting your goals doesn’t mean they always need to be tangible, and achieved by a certain date. Intentions don’t always need to be about stopping, or restricting something. Instead you can approach these from a mindful place. Let’s start with goals that aren’t tangible…
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for goals that are specific, can be measured and have a deadline. However, this approach isn’t going to work with everything. For example, if you want to feel like a confident communicator in social settings, it’s perhaps going to be unrealistic to put a deadline on this. By not doing so, it doesn’t make it a less worthy goal. However, it’ll come down to how often you practice stepping outside of your comfort zone, and putting yourself into new environments to practice these skills.
Now, when it comes to intentions, don’t just consider what you want to stop, or ditch from your life. Example, I’m not eating any processed sugar for 6 months. You might have felt motivated when you set this, but we know that motivation is something that comes and goes. So instead, why not decide the habits you want to create that will help drive your consistency. For example, your intention could be to reduce the amount of processed snacks you buy in your weekly shop. This is a new habit and focuses on you being mindful, rather than focusing on having to cut something out.
There’s always more than one way of doing things, and whether you love the New Year, or would rather wake up on the other side of it, it's powerful to reflect on what has been, and set yourself up for how you want your year to flow. So instead of feeling you have to have it all figured out right now, or need to know your 5 year plan, choose an approach that works for you. Whether that’s setting goals when it’s your Birthday month, defining your word of the year, or creating new habits to help develop the skills you want.
It’s your life. Find your way of living it!
If you want to hear more from Amira aka The Communication Expert, then check out her podcast OPEN UP. You can listen on Soundcloud, Spotify, and here on Apple.
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