New Year, New You!

Hi there!

Welcome back to the MoodiNews. Every Thursday, we discuss a variety of matters related to mental health and self-improvement.

I’m so glad you’re here!

Conveniently, the end of 2023 wrapped up our recent mini-series on semantics in mental health.

So, today, we will be switching gears and starting a new, month-long discussion on goal-setting—given that it’s New Year’s resolution time!

As you know, 2024 is upon us, and lots of people are now in the early stages of implementing their New Year’s resolutions.

Like many of you, I am a big fan of using this time of year to reflect on all that’s happened while also planning ahead for the year to come.

However, while it’s fulfilling and skillful to set new goals at the start of each year, it’s also true that many people flake on their New Year’s resolutions much too soon.

So, for those of you who are launching into 2024 with new aspirations in mind, I have compiled a few points to help you stay grounded while implementing (sometimes overwhelming) change.

Remember that goal-setting and goal-achievement are largely a matter of mindset, so hopefully these few points can help you adjust your mentality as needed—if and when you find yourself struggling to stay on track:

1)  Pick a goal for 2024 that you can’t afford to ignore.

The best New Year’s resolutions aren’t the ones that you can forget about by Valentine’s Day—they are the ones that actually require a TRUE and LASTING investment in yourself. Put your time and energy towards real goals that are actually going to enrich your life this year—not just thoughtless, performative resolutions. This will get you much better results in the long-run.

2)  When you falter, remember: It’s never too late to be skillful.

The road to self-improvement is often rocky and riddled with disappointment, frustration, and relapse. If you find yourself struggling along the path this year, just know that setbacks don’t always have to equate to a hard stop (i.e., permanent impasse). Rather than quitting, it IS possible to pause, assess the situation, get back up, and keep on going whenever you find yourself falling behind. Not every day is going to be a winner in 2024—just continue to focus on staying persistent and willing, and eventually you WILL succeed.

3)  Some of the best advice that I’ve heard when it comes to goal-setting is that things always take longer than you think they will. I encourage you to keep this point in mind this year as well.

Even with a ‘bulletproof’ master plan, things tend to change, and readjustments are usually needed. This is a normal part of making progress and does not mean that you are incapable or that you should quit—rather, it’s an encouraging sign of growth! So, anticipate that modifications will probably be required as time goes on… and this will help you stay flexible and strong when life does its thing to you in 2024.

4)  Your most basic days will determine your success long-term.

People often forget about this small but mighty detail. Prior to any payout, we must first produce—which means that between now and when you actually accomplish your New Year’s resolutions, there will be many mundane days where you will need to stick things out even when you don’t feel like it (i.e., when it’s rainy out, nobody’s watching, and you have every reason to put things off). However, do not prolong your progress by ignoring the importance of staying productive even on your most basic days—that, after all, is when the majority of your work will get done!

I hope that these thoughts become helpful for you as you pursue your new goals in 2024.

Next week, we will continue to discuss some additional tips for more successful goal-setting.

Happy New Year, everyone!