As much as New Year’s Resolution clichés can make me cringe as I think of Fad Diets and white knuckling deprivation, there is something always thought provoking about seeing out the old year out and the new one in that always makes me reflect upon what I achieved this year and what work is still left to do.

When thinking about your personal goals for the new year, and how you’d like to feel on top of things (and stay on top), I first determine what it is that I actually want from the New Year. Whether the goal relates to Money, health, the home, my family, or even just fun or bucketlist goals I always start here and follow these steps:

1. Are there any goals that I didnt quite complete last year that are still on my to-do list? Do I want to continue to pursue these or are they now irrelevant or outdated? Can they be updated or tweaked? Write it down!

2.Now I make a list of all of the things I achieved in 2019 that I’d love to continue. For example, a major one for us would be that in 2019 we paid off all of our consumer debt and our goal for 2020 would be to stay out of it! If your child had a favourite activity that they completed this year, perhaps it’s one of your goals to schedule this for 2020. This helps you appreciate and show gratitude for what you have already accomplished and help gain clarity on what has been impactful to your family. Write it down!

3. Next , think about 3 new major new accomplishments that you want to make in the next year. Its time to start dreaming again. Think about the different areas of your life, such as your health, family, finances, career or business, your spirituality, your relationships and of course the bucket list! What is of most importance to you this year? What is it that taps into your why or the reason you want to achieve the goal. Its the thing that keeps you going when the going gets tough.

4. Got your 3? Great! Now that you have this, its time to break down each of these into mini steps that you can preferably complete each month or each week even. Look at the end goal and work your way backwards to find the steps you need to complete each goal. Make sure you are specific here with all of the steps needed that you know of . For example, if it’s a money savings goal you have then break it down over 12 months and then into how many pay periods you get each month. If it’s a fitness goal, commit to how many workout sessions a week you will do and commit it to your schedule. If however you don’t know all of the steps right now, know that you can tweak it later. Write it down!

5. Visualisation is key! Now that you have the steps and the end result down, write yourself a letter 12 months from now. Write down any obstacles you could anticipate and how you’ve worked through them. Now write how you are feeling that you’ve achieved your goal. This will help prove to yourself that you can achieve this, and you know the steps necessary and all that is left is to execute your plan. Trust me when I say, you’ll get a real kick out of re-reading your letter at the end of the year once you’ve proven to yourself that you can do it! Write in as much detail as possible as this will help you determine and express what you really want.

6. Here is my absolute favourite part! The bit I totally geek out about! It’s time to put all of your plans and goals into a diary or planner. There is a very good reason that a great planner may be a little costly, its because the right planner will help keep you focused and on track and achieving what you want from life. When you write out your goals and desires, you are putting it out to the universe and each time you focus on it you get a little bit closer to achieving it. I am loving this beautiful rose gold Deluxe Law Of Attraction Planner which comes with bonus planner stickers and gift boxed. A beautiful gift for you or a friend! Or for those that are into big brand Planner names , you really can’t go past Erin Condren Life Planners! I love the stickers, motivational quotes , beautiful colours, and the handy back pocket folio for storing important bits of paper. Alternatively, there are also lots of online alternatives that you can use – a simple one being Google Calendar, and another low cost option is Planner Pro. Its time to get your planner out and start filling in those important steps and dates that you determined in the steps above. Check out the full calendar view where you can write important dates and reminders. Also write out a monthly to-do list of action steps to take. I always list to-buy items for the month as it helps me to focus, prepare and stay on budget. I also list costs for various appointments for the same reason. Write it down!

7. Now that you’ve written your goals down and broken down the action steps, its time to be accountable. Get your partner , your kids or your best friend involved! Bonus points if they helped you determine the goals in the first place. Make a fun tracker or find a free one online and print it (type in debt tracker and you will be amazed at how many pop up) and put it on the fridge and mark it off together – you’ll all get a kick out of marking off your progress and the lessons you are teaching your kids will be invaluable. Place your goals where you can see them every single day, whether on a post it note at your desk or a vision board with visual reminders. Don’t forget to keep writing down your progress or action steps in your planner, sticker it up and make it fun!

8. Make sure you track and evaluate your progress at the end of each month and adjust as necessary! Life is never just black and white and you are going to have months where you smash it, and months where you don’t quite hit the mark but the most important thing is that you are consistent in your effort and determination – that you keep going no matter what because it is THAT important to you that you get your $hit together in 2020.

So now that you have your plan, have the steps and have tackled the mindset there is nothing left to do than just put in the work and get it done. Make sure you record your steps along the way in your planner as this will make for a great reflection by the end of year when you can see how the habits you developed have helped you achieve. If you are struggling a little with Personal Development and your thoughts are holding you back, firstly just know that you are not alone as new things are always a little scary at first especially if this is the first time you are getting to know the steps needed for a new goal but the key is to simply decide that not knowing is not going to stop you, all you need to do is find out how – you’d be surprised what Google can tell you 😉 Secondly, check out some of our recommendations for reading HERE which will help you on your way!

PS. Drop me a comment below and let me know what your big goals of 2020 are!

Here’s to getting $hit done in 2020! Cheers, Melissa xxx