Achieve Your New Year's Resolutions - Tips for Lasting Success

Happy New Year to my wine marketers and small business owner friends! I’m curious—are you planning on making any New Year’s Resolutions for 2023?

Maybe a word of the year to motivate your career and personal goals?  I am sticking with REFIGURE for the second year in a row because I don’t feel like I am done with it yet.

It is difficult to anticipate what the coming year will hold in such an unsteady economy, and with the pandemic still very much present (my husband has COVID for the second time right now, while I have continued to be negative for 3+ years).

As you look forward to your resolutions that will begin after the clock strikes twelve, perhaps you can reframe them as “future-casting,” or simply “goal-planning.” This is effectively dreaming up a road map for success and prosperity throughout not only this year, but beyond!

Can you guarantee that your New Year’s resolutions will become reality? No, or else we'd all be billionaires by now (take that, second-richest man in the world—for now)! But you can take steps to increase the likelihood of your goal-planning yielding positive results.

It may seem a bit daunting initially, but having an action plan in place will get your goals on track. Remember why setting realistic goals is essential to you reaching your dreams. That's the real motivator!

It's also a good idea to keep in mind that resolutions may need to be adjusted throughout the year, so stay flexible and be prepared for any potential surprises. 

With these tips, you're sure to have your most successful year yet! So, cheers to a great year and a glass of bubbly—here's to achieving all of your goals!

Here are a few tips for making your New Year's resolutions successful: 

Know the difference between short-term and long-term goals -  It is important to identify the difference between short-term and long-term goals when setting your New Year's resolutions. Short-term goals are those that can be accomplished in a shorter amount of time, while long-term goals may take longer to achieve.

By understanding this distinction, you can ensure that you set realistic goals—ones you can accomplish in the New Year. Additionally, setting both short-term and long-term goals can be beneficial for businesses, as it helps them to stay focused on what needs to be done in the present moment while also aiming for growth and development in the future. Having a mix of both types of goals can help businesses stay motivated throughout the year to achieve success.  

Create an action plan - This plan should include breaking down your large goals into smaller, more achievable steps and habits and assigning timelines and deadlines to each task. It is also important to have room for adjustments so you can remain flexible if the plan needs to be adjusted. By creating an action plan and keeping it realistic, wine marketers and small business owners can stay on track and reach their New Year's resolutions successfully.
Develop sustainable habits - It is critical to understand the difference between being consistent and being sustainable when it comes to your New Year resolutions. While I strive to remain consistent, it is ultimately essential that I develop healthy and lasting habits (i.e., sustainable habits).

As I've discovered, my energy will inevitably differ from day to day, meaning that if I'm too relentless with any given goal, it can quickly become too hard for me to sustain over time. So instead of being inflexible and pushing myself beyond what's practical, adjusting my objectives keeps me on track while also freeing me from exhaustion along the way.

On low-energy days, it's important to remember that you don't have to do the same amount of work that you usually do. It can be helpful to focus on activities that are low-intensity and require minimal physical or mental effort. Instead, try switching up your routine; do something that doesn’t require as much physical or mental energy, like listening to music or taking a walk.  

On the flip side, take advantage of high-energy days by focusing on your work and buckling down on your tasks. You may feel more motivated and able to tackle more challenging tasks. This could include working on a project or tackling something you’ve been putting off.

Examples of sustainable habits: 

For a goal of reading more: On a high-energy day, you could set the goal of reading for an hour. On a low-energy day, your goal can be to read for 15 minutes.

For movement (not just working out): On a high-energy day, plan a trip to the gym for a 45-minute high-intensity workout, and on a low-energy day, feel good about taking a 10-minute walk around the block. Because ALL movement is better than sitting at your desk all day. 

Another example for marketers looking to create habits to hit bigger-picture goals: On a high-energy day, set the goal of crossing off three big tasks for the entire day. On a low-energy day, your goal can be only to cross off one task and take a break.

No matter what type of day it is, don't forget to be kind to yourself. Remember that progress isn't always linear. 

Listen to your own body - This took me a long time to learn, but it’s important to listen to your body and recognize when it's time to take a break. By taking breaks to supplement your energy levels, you are creating habits that are consistent but also sustainable in the long-term.

Allow yourself some “me-time” - It's essential to remember the importance of taking care of yourself throughout the year. Setting time aside for yourself away from work or stressful situations can help you stay motivated and reach your New Year's resolutions successfully. Schedule some “me-time” throughout the year. This could mean taking a day off from work, going out with friends, or simply enjoying some alone time. 

By allowing yourself this much-needed break and relaxation, you can ensure that you have the energy and enthusiasm needed to make your New Year's resolutions a reality. 

Stay focused and don't give up - It's natural to experience failure or setbacks throughout the year. However, it is important to remember that our New Year's resolutions are goals in the long-term. Even when faced with unexpected challenges, we must remain focused on the big picture and not give up.

Plan ways to stay motivated - Stay motivated by rewarding yourself for reaching milestones, or create reminders that keep you on track with your resolutions. This will help you remain focused and keep chugging when things get tough. For example, you could set a goal to exercise regularly and then reward yourself with a massage or a new workout outfit every time you reach a certain number of workouts. Or, you could create a daily reminder on your phone to review your resolutions and visualize your progress, which can help keep you motivated and focused on your goals.

Celebrate successes and learn from failures - We should celebrate both successes and failures when we make New Year's resolutions. Celebrating our successes provides motivation, while learning from our failures keeps us pliable and constantly evolving. By taking the time to reflect on the progress we’ve made, we can remain focused and excited about what is yet to come.

Get the right tools - Finally, small businesses’ success relies on having the right tools. Investing in the resources needed to make your resolutions come true can be key for long-term success. Whether it’s investing in software for better tracking or simply purchasing more supplies, having the right resources in place can bring you closer to reaching your goals.

We ALL have a lot to juggle throughout the year. By setting realistic goals, creating an action plan, allowing yourself some “me-time,” and staying focused, you can confidently head in the direction of your resolutions in 2023.

Struggling to Achieve Your Goals? Here's How to Overcome Common Excuses

You know that part in romcoms when the protagonist explains their feelings to a friend and lists all the reasons why they can't be with the potential love interest? Then the friend looks at them pointedly and says, "Excuses are like butts–everyone's got one, and they all stink."

Maybe I just made that up... But the idea is the same,  and it applies to goal-setting and achieving your dreams too.

We all make up excuses, and they're usually pretty stinkin' bad. 

While some of those reasons might be valid, more often than not, they're just a way to talk ourselves out of doing something that we're afraid of or uncertain about.

But the good news is that once you recognize your excuses for what they are, you can start to overcome them by figuring out how your current habits are slowing you down, so you can change them and start making progress toward your goals.

What’s stopping you from hitting your goals?

Do you ever ask yourself this question? I often tell myself that I can't get up from my desk because I have to focus on my projects, and I simply DON’T have the time to waste…because I already wasted too much by going down a rabbit hole on TikTok. Oops… 

If you're anything like me, you've probably set many goals in your life. (I have even taken a vacation with my husband to plan out my yearly goals). You may have a long list for this year or even just for today. Awesome—you are on the right track! Whoo-hoo!

But how often do you actually hit them?

It's important to remember that many things can stop us from hitting our goals, even if we really WANT to achieve them. These obstacles might be internal or external excuses we tell ourselves, and they might be conscious or subconscious, but they definitely exist.

Knowing Your “Why” Behind Your Goals

While it's important to have clearly defined goals, it's just as important (if not more so) to know your WHY behind those goals. 

Why do you want to achieve that specific goal? What will accomplishing it mean for you and your life? 

Answering these questions can inspire and motivate you to work harder toward achieving your objectives. Whatever our goals are, we should be able to answer “why does it matter?” when coming up with the steps for reaching them.
And that's just how we work—so don’t feel guilty about your motivation, whatever it is. For example, losing weight because you want to look good is your right as a human being. But also think about why it’s important to you to look good, and what that means for your life.

Reflecting on your goals and the reasons behind them provides clarity that can help you stay focused and committed, even when the going gets tough.

Common Excuses for Not Achieving Your Goals

In addition to knowing why you want to hit your goals, it’s also important to understand what your potential roadblocks are. One thing I recently tried was writing down my "excuses" for not creating the habits that lead me to my goals. You know, the things that guide you toward being your best self, like going to the gym, disconnecting from technology, getting a good night's sleep, or eating a healthy breakfast. 

I recently found myself back in the habit of forgetting to get up and eat lunch because I was so busy working on my computer. I was also finding myself ordering DoorDash because I (or my husband) didn't make the time to prepare the ingredients for dinner.

Sounds familiar?? I figured a few of you could relate. But being aware of what holds us back is the first step to overcoming these obstacles and creating new habits.

So, I’ll ask again: What's stopping you from reaching your goals?

Without further ado… Here’s my list of the top excuses we tell ourselves (and what to do about it):

1. I don’t have enough time

This is a big one for most of us. There are always tasks that need to get done, and when we are trying to accomplish one thing, it feels like the other things fall by the wayside. 

Break down your goals into smaller tasks and then make a plan for them. How are you going to get them done?

Some of my favorite tools are Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, and Trello. All three allow me to color code different areas that I'm working on so I can visually see what needs focus at that moment.

2. I’m too tired.

This is one of the hardest excuses to overcome because it requires that we get out of our comfort zones and change our actions. Here are a few things that can help you make the adjustments needed to keep on going:

* Take a break. I know—your first thought may be that you don’t have the time to do this. But often, when we feel overwhelmed by the amount on our plate, one of the best things we can do is take a break. Go for a walk, get outside, get some fresh air and clear your mind. This will help your body re-energize. You'll be surprised by just how helpful this can be!

* Get enough sleep. This is important for me because when I sleep poorly, it leaves my body feeling exhausted the next day. And my quality of sleep is impacted by my actions - like drinking more than two glasses of wine or pints of beer or eating too much cheese/carbs. So here are some tips to help you get more rest: 1) Have a consistent bedtime, 2) Don’t eat late at night (you will have to work on this with me), and 3) Turn off all electronic devices in your room (yes, even your phone), 4) Dedicating time to work out, 5) Understanding that while we like it or not, alcohol does have an impact on quality of sleep. Moderation is key.

3. I don’t have the motivation. 

This is another difficult one that usually goes hand-in-hand with being tired or not having the time to do something, but there are tricks you can lean on to motivate yourself anew. 

* Ask your friends for help. Messaging a friend or client and asking if they have time for a quick chat can help me feel energized about completing my work on time. Even if we don't talk for a long time, it's great to have someone who is there to support you.

* Set a reward system. I love doing this with myself; I know that once I finish something at work, then I can do something that makes me happy! That may be going out with my family or having a glass of wine after a long day. This can be the perfect motivator for pressing on when it feels like I have no reason to do something.

At the end of the day, you need to remember why you are doing what you're doing and keep pushing through your frustrations. It won't be easy, but if you can focus on the positive impact that your goals will bring, nothing should stop you from accomplishing them!

We all have our own excuses for not going after what we want to achieve. Maybe we say we don't have enough time, or that we're too tired—but now that you can identify some of the most common excuses we tell ourselves, you can overcome them. With a little bit of effort, you can change your habits and start achieving your goals.

Download my Goal Planning Worksheet if you feel like you are struggling with your goals for your business (it even has a section dedicated to tackling excuses for achieving your goals!).