New Ways To Do New Goals

How is it already 2025? For me, 2024 whizzed before I could even look at my resolution lists. This year, I’m narrowing in on my goals and making them smaller and more concise, making them more attainable and fulfilling. The start of a new year is the perfect time to reset and work towards personal and family growth. But let’s face it: like me last year, most of our resolutions don’t make it past February. This year, let’s try setting practical and achievable goals that vibe with your lifestyle, family, and interests. Here’s how to craft resolutions that stick:

woman with post its of goals on mirrorStart Small

Ambitious goals are exciting and always get my productive juices flowing, but they can quickly feel overwhelming. I often find that the bigger the goal, the further away it might be, and that’s somewhat demotivating after some time. This year, let’s try to break them into smaller, manageable steps to combat this. For example, instead of “Get in shape,” commit to a 15-minute walk thrice weekly. I have found a great app on the App Store, HabitKit, for this task. Choose how often you want to complete something and get the visual satisfaction of tracking your habits. In this example, I will use my resolution to do one French lesson per day. After my lesson, I’m free to end and move on with my day, but more often, I feel that doing one small step gives me the fire to complete two!

Be Specific

Vague resolutions lead to vague results. And I’m sticking to that this year! Replace “Read more books” with “Read one book a month” or “Read for 20 minutes daily.” Replace “Exercise more” with “Take 2 pilates classes per week” or “Go on a 20 min walk 3x per week.” Get specific. Specificity creates clarity and focus. Using my French learning as my example, I will do one lesson per day and three 20-minute weekly sessions this year. That is a very specific goal I can easily track and keep data on to see whether I am on target.

Set Realistic Expectations

Unrealistic goals set you up for failure. If you’re new to cooking, don’t vow to make gourmet meals every night. Maybe start with mastering one new recipe a week. If you are new to working out, don’t run to a gym and sign up; build workout time into your schedule by making time for walks around the neighborhood. My realistic expectation is not to be a perfect French speaker by 2026; it’s to have a goal and work towards it every day to become a better French communicator. This is a huge hurdle that can look different for everyone. Take time to zoom out of your goals and see where you might be putting some unrealistic expectations on yourself.

Build on Existing Habits

Tack a new habit onto an existing one to make it easier to stick with. For example, if you drink coffee every morning, use that time to jot down three things you’re grateful for. Or when you get home from work, trade shoes and go for a quick walk around the block. When I get home from school drop-off, I do my French. The house is quiet, and I know I have a moment to dive into my studies and immerse myself in learning for 10-20 minutes. Where in your day can you habit stack to build something new into the routine you already do?

Track Your Progress

Use a journal, app, or simple checklist to monitor your journey. Seeing progress can motivate you to keep going, no matter how small. As I mentioned above, HabitKit is a great app. But I also love using some of the widgets that come with the apps. For example, my preferred French learning app is Duolingo; with the Duolingo widget on your phone, you can see clearly how many days in a row you have completed lessons. This can be very motivating for some, but another way is just keeping a note on your phone or dedicating a journal or notebook to keep track of your progress. This will keep all your information tidy, in one place, and easier to access weekly or monthly.

Celebrate Milestones

Let’s not forget to acknowledge your efforts along the way! Even small steps can be rewarded. When you hit a milestone, treat yourself to something you enjoy, like a special meal or a day off. Use a journal or an app to keep track of your goals and what you would like to do to celebrate each one. Looking at this list can sometimes boost energy when motivation is running low. When I reach 100 days of French lessons this year, I will treat myself by going to a French restaurant. I will dress up and try and use my skills. I will romanticize it, and that’s all the motivation I need. How will you celebrate your milestones? How about a new pair of workout shoes after going on 10 walks? Or can you order dinner after a week of cooking meals at home? Or maybe one splurge item per 6 months of saving?

Stay Flexible

Life happens, and that’s okay. If your original plan isn’t working, adjust it rather than giving up altogether. Progress is progress, no matter how slow. I really want to focus on this this year because I hate breaking my streaks. It’s hard for me to come back from a free day off. But life is life, and sometimes schedules get off. The idea is to have a plan and know that the goal is to return to it.

Focus on Growth, Not Perfection

Finally, let’s focus on all the progress we have already made! Resolutions are about improvement, not flawlessness. Check-in monthly and pat yourself on the back for giving it your all for that month. If it’s not what you want it to look like, that’s okay. We have room for growth, and we know where we want to go. Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and keep moving forward!

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Sasha Camp
Sasha’s journey began in Germany, where she was born, but her story has been about exploration and adventure ever since. By age three, her family relocated to the United States, and she spent her formative years in a charming Northern California town. It was here she started her first job as a barista, mastering the art of coffee and connection.After high school, Sasha followed her heart and sweetheart to Sacramento, where she pursued higher education at California State University, Sacramento. There, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies with a minor in Anthropology. During this time, Sasha balanced work at Victoria’s Secret with her studies, proving her knack for multitasking.In 2011, Sasha and her sweetheart welcomed their first son, Aiden, and tied the knot soon after. Not ones to stay still for long, the young family relocated to Reno, Nevada, where they soaked in the breathtaking hikes and views. In 2014, they expanded their family with the birth of their second son. Missing Northern California's cool, familiar weather, they made another move, this time to the PNW, Seattle, Washington.In Seattle, Sasha worked at Seattle Sun Tan and earned her 200-hour yoga certification. She taught at a local studio and shared her passion for mindfulness and movement. In 2017, her family grew again with the arrival of their third son. Around this time, Sasha and her husband built their first home in Fairview, Texas, just north of Dallas.During their three years in Texas, Sasha pursued her Master’s in Special Education from Arizona State University (Class of 2020). Inspired by her middle son’s diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2018, Sasha achieved her goal of becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.In true adventurous fashion, the family relocated to Orlando, Florida, for a year, soaking up the sunshine, Disney magic, and unforgettable experiences. Their journey eventually brought them to their current home in Missouri City, Texas, just south of Houston, where they’ve decided to put down roots.Today, Sasha enjoys reading, Pilates, and keeping up with her three energetic boys, who bring endless joy and excitement to her life. Follow along with Sasha’s vibrant world on Instagram at @sasha_camp_.

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