New Years Goals and Journal Writing

It’s that time of the year again.  Some people hate it, some love it, but either way, it’s hard not to reflect on the past year and think about changes for the new.  Personally, I think goals should be extended all year long, not just the beginning of the year.  The tradition of creating New Year’s resolutions is a good thing in essence.  But let’s face it, most of us forget about them by February.  And if we don’t follow through with them, then there’s the guilt factor.  Then the frustration factor follows.  And none of this sounds fun, right?  But I’ve found it doesn’t have to be like that.

This is what has worked for me as far as accomplishing goals.  It’s as simple as writing my goals, aspirations and dreams in a journal.  Why does this help, you ask?  Well, first of all, it reminds me of what I need to do in a step by step process.  This is half the battle.  Before I started journeling, I used to have these big lofty ambitions for the New Year, but I didn’t know how to achieve them.  Now, I write my main goal in my journal, but then also write down a little step for it as well each week.  I also write down the things I want to get done each day, making a checklist.  Do I finish everything every day?  Definitely not.   But do I achieve a lot more than I used to each day?  You betcha.  Also,  I have a back log that I can always refer to and see what I haven’t gotten done for that week.  Then I just add that to the list I need to do for the next week.

Now, there are some things that just never seem get done.  That’s life.  There’s no reason to beat ourselves up over it.  The important things at the time will make it up to the top of the list.  For example, in 2012 I got married.  There were plenty of things I had hoped to do in 2012 that will get pushed to 2013 because of the wedding.  And you know what?  That’s okay!  We can’t do everything all the time.

Another benefit of journaling is that it creates consistency.  If you do it every day, chances are you’ll keep at it.  And that crosses over to all other aspects of your life.  Being spontaneous is fun for sure, but consistency is the key to achieving those lofty goals that sometimes seem so far away.  One consistent step at a time and you can make it.

The Ranch is a terrific place to start journaling.  You have peace and quiet plus plenty of time to yourself.  So if you’re fortunate enough to be at the Ranch right now during this New Years season, consider this perfect timing to get started on your goals and journaling.  Make some tea, sit by the fire and have some fun!  It shouldn’t feel like a chore.  In fact, it should feel very liberating and exciting.  And for the majority of us who aren’t at the Ranch at the moment, there’s no time like the present to get started!  You can use any sort of notebook.  Take a little piece of time out of every day to write your goals.  I usually write my daily to do list in the morning, but if I think of anything else throughout the day, then I scribble it in there as well.  Last thing…I pretty much take my journal with me wherever I go (except to dinner and fun things like that!), but pretty much everywhere else.  It’s helps to have one that’s small ;).

I hope this helps and inspires you to start writing out your dreams.  Don’t hold back!  Just remember…one little consistent step at a time.