I’m Setting New Year’s Goals, Not Making Resolutions

How do you feel at the start of a new year? I love it, because I enjoy defining my intentions and setting my goals for the coming days. Everything seems fresh and new, and the possibilities are endless.

I make a point to avoid New Year’s resolutions, though. I believe resolutions are what people think they should change about themselves, such as dieting or exercising more. Yet, they’ll probably only stick with it for a month or so, because they’re doing it for the wrong reasons.

We often set drastic expectations of ourselves, yet have no way of sticking to them. We’re setting ourselves up for failure. 

For me, intentions or goals replace resolutions because they help me set up a plan for the rest of the year.

For example, despite everything that happened last year, I still managed to complete most of my goals. Some weren’t easy, and I had to find a workaround. But I got there in the end.   

This year, I have two sets of intentions to declare. The first includes the overall intentions I have for my life and our business in the coming year. The second includes goals I want to achieve in my 30s. And yes, I realize how obsessive this all may sound, but I like to have a plan because it minimizes my anxiety. 

Late last month, my 20s came to an end, and I moved into a new phase of life that will continue in 2021.

The last decade of my life didn’t unfold quite as I had planned. I was diagnosed with MS eight years ago, at age 22, a diagnosis that seemed to appear out of the blue. Because of that, more unexpected things happened.  

On the plus side, I married my best friend, we bought a house, and adopted a dog. I got my first car. And I realized the importance of being self-employed.

MS also taught me the importance of being organized and setting goals to manage anxiety. 

It’s vital for you to try new things, too, to find what works. 

One of the things I’m proudest of is writing a book. I’ve tried many new things in the last 10 years because I set a goal to become self-employed. To make that goal come true, I had to figure out how to achieve it. Along the way, I also encountered many things that simply didn’t work. 

My main goal for my 30s is to start a family. I always said I wouldn’t have kids until I turned 30, and now that I have, I feel weirdly ready to take on the responsibility of being a momma bear. A part of me doesn’t feel entirely ready, but I don’t think anyone ever feels entirely prepared. 

I believe that setting intentions and goals for the year ahead brings so much more focus and clarity. Otherwise, it’s like trying to find a destination you’ve never been to with no idea how to get there. 

I don’t like the idea of getting to the end of a year and thinking, “I haven’t achieved anything this year!” 

Intentions and goals can change throughout the year, and that’s fine. Life is a fluid, ever-changing sea of events. Circumstances can change quickly, and we never know what might be waiting around the corner, as we all found out in 2020. 

Have a plan for what you want to achieve this year, because when it’s over, you won’t be able to get it back. Make the most of every minute. 

Life is a tangled web of choices we make every day that deliver us to different destinations. It’s crazy when you think about it. For example, if someone hadn’t moved to a different area of the country, perhaps they might not have met their best friend. 

One thing to note is that it is vital to set goals and intentions that are achievable to avoid disappointment. Add reason behind each goal. Ask yourself why you want to achieve that particular goal and go for it.

What is your plan for the coming year? What will you achieve in 2021? Please share in the comments below. 

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Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.