Hello 2023! It’s the start of a new calendar, a chance to hit the reset button, and the opportunity to set new goals and resolutions for the year. But as we all know, it can be tough to stick to these resolutions and make lasting changes in our day to day lives. Don’t sweat it. HBCU Leggings has some tips and strategies to help you achieve your goals and make this year the year that you stick to them.
1. Make SMART goals.
You’re great at making things happen but how can you be 100% sure you’ve reached your goal? SMART goals take all the guesswork out of building your goal so you can realistically achieve it. Smart goals are:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic and
Time-Bound
For example, instead of resolving to "exercise more," set a specific goal like "exercise for 20 minutes three times a week." For reference, that’s about the length of one episode of Abbott Elementary. You can even schedule this in advance on your calendar which gives you a clear target to work towards and helps you track your progress. Now you’ll know exactly when you’ve reached your goal so you can move on to the next one.
Build a plan.
Once you have set your goals, it's important to create a plan for how you will achieve them. This can include breaking your goals down into smaller, more manageable tasks, setting deadlines, and identifying any obstacles you might come up against.. For example, if your goal is to launch a business, start by choosing a name, building a website and researching other small businesses in the same industry. If you have no ideas where to start, reach out to some of your fellow HBCU alumni or join your local HBCU Alumni association. Howard University alone has dozens of chapters throughout the entire country and has listed them all on their website with the contact information for easy access. There’s no network like an HBCU network.
Hold yourself accountable.
Accountability is crucial to achieving any goal, and there are a few ways you can hold yourself accountable for your new year's resolutions. One way is to share your goals with someone else. Reach out to your college besties or start a GroupMe with other HBCU alumni working toward the same goal. A strong community can provide encouragement and support, and can also help keep you on track. Think about finding a way to celebrate your successes along the way. This can help you stay motivated and give you a sense of accomplishment.
Find a motivation that works for you.
Everyone is motivated by different things, so it's important to find what works for you. Some people are motivated by rewards, while others are motivated by the sense of accomplishment or by a beautifully designed pair of new HBCU leggings!. Think about what drives you and use that as your motivation to achieve your goals. For example, if you are motivated by rewards, you might set up a rewards system for yourself – every time you reach a milestone, reward yourself.
Make it a habit.
One of the most effective ways to make a change in your life is to turn it into a habit. Habits are automatic behaviors that we do without thinking, and they can be powerful tools for achieving our goals. To turn your goals into habits, try using a habit tracker or setting reminders for yourself to complete your tasks. You can also try using the "21/90 Rule," which states that it takes 21 days to form a new habit and 90 days to turn it into a lifestyle change.
Be kind to yourself.
It's important to remember that it's okay to slip up or make mistakes along the way. No one is perfect, and it's normal to have setbacks or struggle to stick to your goals. Failure is necessary on the road to success so don't let a slip-up discourage you – instead, use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Treat yourself to a nice brunch, and remember that the journey towards your goals is just as important as the destination.
Get involved.
Reach out to your community and join organizations related to your goals. This will keep you motivated and give you access to resources and people who can help you along the way. Achieving your goals is so much easier with the support of others. Surround yourself with people who are positive and supportive, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Who knows, you may end up helping someone else along the way, too.Try a new approach.
There’s an Einstein quote that says,”Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”. If that sounds like you, think about changing things up. If one of your resolutions for the past 5 years has been “Save a thousand dollars to travel to the country,” try reorganizing the idea. Maybe, “Save $100 a month from January to October for a trip to Mexico in December,” will work better for you by setting a specific destination breaking the goal down into a monthly task.
There you have it, eight ways to make 2023 the year you achieve the goals you set in January. We hope that at least one of these strategies helps you do just that. If any of these prove helpful to you, shout us out and let us know! We want to hear from you.
We know you’re serious about making 2023 your year so here’s a gift from HBCU Leggings: You can get a discount to use towards your next purchase. Just post a picture of yourself in your gear on Facebook or Instagram and tag @HBCULeggings to receive your code.