I’ll say it again, “There’s nothing magical about January 1st”

I feel if there was ever a time to prove that this was true. It is now.

Here we are, the 1st of a brand new year, however it very much carries the problems and worries of the past one. Yes, I’m talking about that dreaded coronavirus.

In terms of setting goals, I feel that this must have been the hardest go for some. Do we set goals? Do we bother? if you’re in the United Kingdom like me, you’ll be processing the news the we have essentially gone back in time with our fight against COVID. So for us, there are many days, months ahead at home.

So the question is, should we set new year goals? Should we bother? Or is it a way of filling ourselves with unnecessary pressure and possibly even setting ourselves up for failure?

My answer is Yes. No. You do you.

I think the current climate means we need to adapt our goals, to make them mindful and achievable. We need to be kind and celebrate ourselves for every step we take. You can set a goal at any time of year, you don’t have to wait for January 1st, there is no rule for when the moment is right.

However I can also appreciate that the new year can often feel like a fresh time and therefore the right time to make plans. Embrace it but also know this is not your only chance.

So its about doing what feels right for you and you alone. For me, I mentally feel calmer making a few new goals at the start of the year. It just fits for me as I usually have a new planner which contains a ‘new year’ outlook section, It fits with my lifestyle right now but I always make sure to not overwhelm myself or put too much on this one day.

That’s not to say I don’t create new goals throughout the year. I am always creating a new goal post if I feel I need the motivation, I have this especially with work goals, because the environment changes so quickly.

We get more than one chance a year – take it.

But what goals should we set? Again, I encourage you to do you but I also advise to consider making your goals mindful and manageable. Make goals that you actually want to do, not that you feel you should be doing. Don’t overwhelm yourself and make 30 goals, keep the finish line in reach. Make goals that you can breakdown, quarter by quarter, month by month.

For example, I always set myself the goal to read more, because I love it and love getting engrossed in another world. This year, I’m aiming for 16 books. Lets break that down. I need to aim for reading at least 4 books a quarter, that’s 1 and bit books per month. I can handle that.

Breaking it down makes its more attainable and manageable. I know, the odds are in my favour for this goal, because I’m part of a monthly book club so in a way, 12 books are already taken care of. I just need to give myself time.

So when you break an annual goal down, it makes more sense and doesn’t seem out of reach.

So I’ll say it again, “There’s nothing magical about January 1st”. Make goals if you wish. or don’t. Do it today or start January 26th or the next month. Whenever you feel you want to.

All you need to remember, you can set goals any day you like just as long as you feel good about it and good about reaching that finish line. You can check in with yourself and adjust your goal as many times as needed. Your goals are for you and you only. Have fun with it all.

I wish a happy and hopeful 2021 to you and yours, The time we are living in is truly unlike anything I have ever experienced but I am hopeful brighter days are ahead, I hope you are too.