I’ll be sharing my new goals for 2022 this weekend, but before I do that, I wanted to take a moment to tell you exactly how I go about setting my goals each year.
If you’re a long time reader of this blog, you already know that one of my favorite things is SETTING GOALS {and checking them off my list!} and that the way I go about the whole process is pretty simple.
And while I’ve shared this advice on the blog many times before, I think repeating it every year is worthwhile. The main thing about goals are to KEEP THEM SIMPLE. Be realistic and FOLLOW THROUGH.
In my opinion, if you can do that, you’ll be setting yourself up for success right from the start.
First off, I am not a huge fan of calling my new year goals “resolutions.” I like having goals that I am working towards, rather than resolving to change absolutely. If my goals aren’t working, I can tweak them.
Resolutions feel like they are set in stone and changing them feels like failure somehow. That being said, I included it in the title because I am fully aware most people don’t spend precious minutes in their day thinking about these sorts of tiny distinctions.
Most people are not neurotic, like me. I accept that.
Now that we got that out of the way, let’s move on to keeping on track–whether you call them goals or resolutions.
Don’t go nuts.
I am certainly not the best example of this one, but hear me out anyway: Keep your list short. Believe it or not, compared to what I want to accomplish each year, I DO keep my list pretty short.
I don’t go crazy trying to change every little thing that pops into my noggin. I want to. But, I don’t.
Keeping the list short and realistic, particularly if your goal is to change a habit…say eat healthy or workout regularly, is a really good way to concentrate on those one or two things.
It keeps you accountable for committing to just that. You can always add new goals once you’ve conquered old ones. I mean, life is fluid–you don’t need a new year to make new goals.
Don’t let bumps derail you.
There will be unexpected turns in your race to the goal finish line. Don’t let a bad couple of weeks completely derail you from the ultimate goal. Get back on that pony and ride. Maybe you’ll have to start over quarterly, like an accountant. No biggie. Just make sure you do.
Pick a buddy.
Make yourself accountable by announcing your goals to a buddy. They can be accountable to you for theirs. Meet for coffee, lunch, a stroll through the neighborhood once a month or so and check in.
When you have to report your progress, you are more likely to get a move on.
That’s why I announce my personal goals to all of you. Each week, I have to admit whether or not I have slacked off, or if I’ve nailed it. I have found that even when I have done nothing to move toward the goal that week, admitting it to all of you at least makes me think about my plan of attack.
Break it down.
If the goal is a monumental game-changer, you may want to break it down into smaller goals. I am going to use the most cliché one: regular exercise. If that’s your goal, rather than saying, “I have to hit the gym 5 days a week no matter what,” break it down into smaller attainable weekly goals.
Each week, set your goal based on your schedule, etc. Maybe week one is to walk 3 miles, 3 days that week. The next week is to go to the gym 2 times. See where I am headed here?
It’s easy to hit your goal when you know you only have to do it for a week. Then, all you have to do is trick yourself into living a week at a time {I know that sounds funny, but thinking that way has been VERY helpful to me over the years.}.
Mental fortitude, my friends.
There will always be excuses for EVERY possible thing, if you let them creep in. Life is messy, and if you can’t prioritize, it will for you. Sure, there are extenuating circumstances. Life happens. If you truly make up your mind to change, though, you will continue right along your goals once life settles down again.
It’s about flexing your willpower muscles, and for the record, that can really suck.
Make a failure plan.
Before you start, make a plan for possible pitfalls and put a plan in place to counteract them. Let’s just say you are giving up “hairspray.” What do you plan to do when someone drops by with a bottle of hairspray? What if people are using hairspray at a party? What is your response? How will you avoid hairspray triggers.
See where I am going with this? Also, if you are really giving up hairspray, please leave it in the comments below–I NEED to know what brought you to this place. 😉
Write your goals down and post them where you’ll see them everyday.
Jot those goals down on a piece of paper. Laminate that sucker, if you are into that sort of thing. Then, put it on the fridge, tape it to the mirror, have it turned into a billboard– whatever it takes, just make sure you see it everyday.
It needs to be a constant reminder that YOU are in control of your own habits and goals. Cheesy? Yes. Fact? Also yes.
Do you do the New Year, New Goals thing? If so, how do YOU plan to stick to them?
~Mavis
Mel says
All good tips! Here are some of the ones I use as well:
1) Have one or two goals that you can accomplish right away. I like the feeling of momentum from starting off productive and checking something off the list early on. I usually pick a craft project or recipe for this.
2) Have a plan for goals that may conflict. If you plan to do a bunch of projects but also plan to save money, figure out the balance between the cost of those projects and the amount you can save. Otherwise, you’ll be blowing one goal just to accomplish another.
3) Keep in mind that priorities probably change throughout the year. The goals you have in January may be less important in July. Plan ahead for seasonal shifts where priorities will change. I typically have Christmas-y projects in mind this time of year, but those are not really a top priority the rest of the year. So, I try to avoid having too many goals for any one season. I made tons of Christmas goals one year, and I got them all done, and Christmas was magical, but I felt a bit more like an elf than is probably advisable.
4) For daily or weekly goals, I use an app to remind myself. I use one that also tracks the frequency with which I do something, so I can see that I only accomplished something 70% of the time last week but 80% this week and know I improved.
5) Some goals need some work up front before they can be started. If you don’t own running shoes, you can’t just start running on day one.
6) Plan ahead and schedule certain goals for when you have time. I normally schedule house projects for summer when school is out and I’m off work, but I’m planning to work this summer, so I’ll need to redistribute those goals.
7) Don’t forget fun goals. I want to look forward to the year, not dread it.
8) Remember that accomplishing goals may pay off in ways you can’t predict now. A few years ago, I set a goal to learn how to sew. I never could have imagined how useful that goal would be this year when face masks were in short supply.
Elise in the SF Bay Area says
Mel, what app do you use?
Mel says
I used one called Loop Habit Tracker to start, and I really liked it. I used it to build habits like going for weekday runs, and I stopped using the app after those habits had become intuitive. I’m currently looking into some apps that are more cleaning focused since I have more trouble streamlining those tasks, so I’m looking into Tody for that. Loop Habit Tracker will work find for cleaning tasks and lets you set up different categories of tasks, but I need to separate cleaning from other habit tasks to keep them straight and have a more flexible schedule with them, so that’s the only reason I’m branching out.
Gina says
Flylady.net is the best cleaning system. Even if you don’t use all of it, you take away lots of good ideas!
Tammy says
Your weekly goal posts are my favorite posts you publish!
Those are all great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Linda Practical Parsimony says
I really did give up hairspray. I spent my teen and young years teasing and spraying my hair. Well, that calls for daily hair washing. When I had more time, I had less desire to wash my hair every day. I sprayed less. But, my hair thinned and I had this old lady part in the crown of my hair, and I hated that. I hated teasing. I hated rain and wind ruining it all. My hair and schedule did not need a hairwashing every day. Finally, I settled for teasing the crown, one big handful, and letting it go so it would not need to be washed every day. Then, with no hairspray on my clean hair, my hair did not get sticky and stuck in strange configurations once I lay on it. I had spent too much of my life trying to keep my hair under control. I hate teasing and I hate hairspray. When I went to my 55th hs class reunion a few years ago, I had to buy a bottle of hairspray. I used it once and I suppose it is drying up or whatever hairspray does. Okay, you asked!
Emily says
Thank you for sharing! I skimmed the comments just to see if anyone had given up hairspray. I don’t have the backstory but I am with you in the I bought this bottle of hairspray for an event and never used it again club.
carrie says
I love the little snowman pictures!
I’ve only ever made I goal- to walk/hike 365 miles in a year. Do to some circumstances I didnt hit it, but got in the high 200’s (and I dont live somewhere where I can walk from my house).
I want to make some goals for this year. I usually try, but my husband isnt on board and when 1/2 the goals (hime projects and travel) would include him I have just given in and not made them.
Rebecca in MD says
Thanks so much for the tips on setting goals and meeting them. This is definitely not my strong suit. I would just like to echo what another reader said – – – your goals recap are my favorite posts to read.
Elise in the SF Bay Area says
Like so many others, these are generally my favorite posts too.
I’ve been starting a small business (bookkeeping) for the last 7 years while also working in an office, and I have doubled my revenue every year for the last 3 years (and was SO close this year, missed by about 5%). We’re talking SMALL numbers at the beginning, but it still feels SO good. I know my kids’ college funds will be ready for them 🙂
I’m going to work on a small list of fun and some serious goals and maybe share it next week. You’re SO right about accountability…
Happy New Year!!! I hope you have nothing but wind at your back!!
Jennifer says
I don’t set yearly goals – I am more of a daily to do list kind of a girl. I will say that I am inordinately invested in your goals and cheer you on virtually each week. There has never been a “Mavis, you can do better than that” thought. It’s always “how does Mavis get so much done?” reverberating in my head.
I say I’m going to do this every year, but I rarely make it a week or two. My goal for 2021 will be to read 123 books this year. It’s a weird number, but it’s a book every 3 days. This sounds ambitious to most, but I have done it before. With dh’s health, COVID fears, and me being his caregiver, I have the time. It is a second loose goal to somehow monetize my love of reading. No idea where to start on that one, but it’ll be fun investigating my options.
Molly says
Your goals , your progress motivate me!! Thanks .
Happy New Year to You & Yours
Stacey says
I’m with you – I don’t make resolutions, but I do set goals. I also don’t wait until a new year starts to set them, but start making changes and trying new things when I realize they need to happen. With that said, you have inspired me to buckle down and start working on some things that require a bit more planning and commitment. Thank you for sharing yourself with us!
Linda says
Mavis, here is a new goal for you and a bonus for us. Write a cookbook with pictures of all your beautiful hooked rugs and ornaments. Add pictures according to seasons along with garden pictures, goals, etc. I’ll be first in line to purchase a copy.
Monday I made a blueberry and cherry pie using your recipes. For dinner I made your chicken and green bean casserole and my husband said it’s a keeper.
Mary says
Have all your Dig for Dinner books, so that goal would be a success!
Mel says
Such good reminders! Reading everyone’s goals always gives me such hope for the new year, and I’ve definitely accomplished more since reframing resolutions as goals.
I’m not actually sticking to this strategy this year because my goals will be a little different, but one thing I like to do is add 1-2 goals that are simple or fun and can be accomplished super early. Completing those goals gives me some momentum for tackling the more challenging ones.
Another strategy I use is to identify the big project-type goals that have many steps before they’re truly accomplished. These goals can feel frustrating even when you’re making progress, so I try to remember that each step really does matter and that really big projects might deserve to be broken into smaller goals (usually a planning stage, a prepping stage, and an execution stage).
Can’t wait to leave this year behind (it was a rough one) and read about everyone’s plans for 2022!
laura says
i have enjoyed watching how you cross the goals off the list as the year goes goes by. having just moved, my list is pretty long but i think setting up goals (with smaller steps!) will help me to see the progress more easily! thanks for the reminder!!
Rebecca in MD says
I confess that I am not very good at making an annual list of goals and crossing them off as they are completed. I am very good, however, at making long term goals and accomplishing them (retirement, downsizing, educational goals, are examples). I’m not sure why that is………..
I look forward to reading everyone’s list of goals and maybe this will be the year that I make some annual goals and keep them.
Maria says
Thank you for inspiring me. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Life is exasperating at times esp. during a pandemic. I already have 3 goals for 2022 and plan to add a few more. Continue to make a difference, Mavis.
Deborah R says
Great post, and really, really beautiful pictures.
KC says
Now I want to give up hairspray… (which wouldn’t be hard, since I already don’t use it – it’s been well over a decade since I was last hairsprayed, and I may never have actually owned hairspray myself).
(I do think goals that mean “not purchasing” probably do need to get down into some of the nitty-gritty of what you mean; can you buy something for a neighbor for them to buy you hairspray? Or can you accept hairspray, but only if it would otherwise be thrown out, like if someone’s allergic to it or cleaning out their backlog of half-used hairspray?)
Julie says
WHen I make my “honey do” lists, I always include some easily attainable items so his momentum of accomplishment gets a little easier going into the next task. These include: drinking coffee, petting the cat, reporting on the weather, etc. Then onto the daily “goal” or task of cleaning the coop, washing the car, etc.
Heidi P says
Julie you are brilliant!
Michelle Counter says
My husband always has “kiss wife” as his first item on any daily goal (or to do) list he writes. It’s very sweet and an easy check. Hah.
Linda Sand says
I only have one goal for this coming year: accept life as it is and be happy about that. It’s already working. I smile more and laugh a lot now that I’m no longer fighting reality.
Marie says
Bravo! We are following this guideline as well. Fighting reality is really such a waste of time and energy. My sister always says, “They never do what I want”!
Lisa says
This is an excellent idea. I might steal it.
Meg C says
A few years ago I read this quote: It’s impossible to be grateful and unhappy at the same time.
Ever since I read that quote I have tried to make it a personal mantra. It forces you to accept your life, and even rejoice in it, which helps you to be happier overall, in my opinion.
Heidi P says
I’m a rolling goal setter. I don’t make annual goals per se. I add and complete throughout the year.
I’ve only once made a yearly goal and that was 2019. I announced in late 2018 that 2019 was going to be “the year of Heidi” Freaked my husband out (silver lining and worth a good chuckle). I’d been tired and sick for about 4 years and wanted to re-set my health. Mission accomplished for the most part, well except for the chronic illness part. Best goal I ever reached. Consistent diet and exercise really do work, who knew?
I haven’t used hairspray since the 80’s or 90’s. I’ve never found it super useful. Maybe if I lived somewhere humid. If someone brought some to my home I’d be polite and accept it as a gift because my husband uses a ton everyday. Ha Ha Ha! Cracks me up. He sprays it on wet hair as a styling product then multiple times during the drying process. Has always baffled me. He’s addicted. Amazing he still has a great head of hair at 62.
Sue says
I always feel motivated by your gardening posts, and several of your recipes have been added to my (admittedly beginner’s level) cooking repertoire and are now among my regulars.
But the annual goals posts are my absolute favorite! Both the yearly setting and assessment as well as the weekly updates.
2021 was the first year in a long time that I didn’t make a list of annual goals. I will get back on that bandwagon for 2022!
Katherine says
We are going to renovate our kitchen, master bathroom and buildout the basement. All of my goals will revolve around that and my garden.
Linda says
I love the fact that you do this. It has encouraged me to make ‘goals’.
Jeanine says
I grew my bangs out this past 6 months and absolutely needed hairspray to keep my hair out of my eyes. Still use it occasionally. Funny thing is, after growing the bangs out…now I want to go back to having bangs again. Had to give it a try. Oh well…so it goes!
Cindy Miller says
Ha ha! I wouldn’t give my hairspray up for anything. Well maybe when I retire. I don’t really set year goals at the beginning of the year. However this year I have habits I want to return to and see how far I can go with them, as well as prepping. I always thought mine was alright. I have since realized it is not. I am going to try really hard to create a veggie garden. I just never had time last year. Even though I am still working 6 days a week, I am planning on staying home for vacations. Love all your tips, as usual. 🙂 Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy new year.
Holly Sieger says
I prefer goals vs. resolutions as well. In my mind, goals exist to serve me and my interests, not me existing to meet goals….. So if my circumstances change and my goals need to change too, it doesn’t feel like a failure. It feels like normal life: always changing and adapting. I do have a goal this upcoming year to not buy any new clothes! That may be harder than I imagine!
Julie P says
You have inspired me to make goals this year, I love this feature on your blog and glad you share your goals and your success/failure. I have a couple of big house projects which we need to tackle this year and to get rid of 365 things by way of chastity, eBay or gift. The others are more mindful, like eating more healthily and finding time for me every day. We shall see. Look forward to your annual goals next week. Don’t use hairspray although weirdly I do own a can! Must have been left by my daughter she used to use it as a teen, she’s in her 30s now, maybe time to throw away! My first declutter item
Julie P says
Obviously that should have read charity!
Beverly Cluff says
Always look forward to this time of year and checking your goals before completing my list…you have done great ideas and I borrow them
Delma says
Last New Years, feeling in a cooking/baking rut, I resolved to try 50 new recipes. Well. Best. Idea. Ever! I kept track and as of today have made 120 new recipes! I forced myself out of my comfort zone and made many new delicious things. I will definitely be repeating that goal. And bonus: I hit my local thrift store periodically and for under $3 each got a ton of new(old) cookbooks. Every year I resolve to read 50 books (book nerd challenge with a daughter which other daughters and sons have adopted) but I think this year I read at least that many cookbooks! Here’s to a happy, healthy and delish new year! Thank you, Mavis for the nudge to set useful (as well as fun) goals.