Ms. Simplicity: Tackle New Year's resolutions one step at a time

I have to admit that my favorite time of year is the end of the year. I always take time to reflect on how great the current year has been and what I can do to improve the incoming year.
I tell people that New Year’s Eve is my favorite holiday, as it is one of the holidays where we focus on ourselves being better. I like to set goals in my personal and business life. I like to choose a word of the year that covers both areas. It’s fun to dream and focus on what’s important.
So what are the steps to help you make sure that you stay on track this year? Some steps you will find work for you and some may not. Focus on just a few and try not to get overwhelmed because when we get overwhelmed we just stop working towards them.
Find a partner. It’s always easier to stick to your goals if you have an accountability partner. Certain diet programs are successful because you have to go in and weigh yourself every week. Knowing that you have to check in will make you work a little harder. Find a friend and share your goals and get going.
Schedule check-in times. I have created reoccurring appointments on my phone for my weekly planning sessions. I usually don’t need more than 15 minutes a week to figure out what my big tasks are to accomplish. I have also scheduled monthly and quarterly time to work on my bigger goals.
Set realistic goals. Saying that you’re going to lose 50 pounds can be overwhelming. But starting with baby steps like walking 10,000 steps a day or not eating sugar are both good starts that will help you in your overall goal without feeling defeated when you step on the scale and the number hasn’t moved.
Break the goal down into smaller pieces. If you goal is to organize your house, it may be easier to say that you’re going to organize for 10 minutes a day or to work for an hour a weekend. But if you don’t have it broken down, you won’t know where to start.
Don’t beat yourself up. As long as you’re moving in the right direction, that’s all that matters. Don’t be mad at the number on the scale and go eat a snack to try to cope with it. That’s just moving you backwards.
Reward yourself. Set up little rewards systems along the way. We all love to be acknowledged along the way. If we’re privately working on our goals, we need this more than ever. Be your own cheerleader and own it. It’s OK to set up a massage or a night at the movies for all your hard work. Write down your rewards and focus on them.
I have been putting some focus this past week on how I am going to accomplish my own goals. I know it’s important to set up systems to help me now. The trick is to not make it so complex that you have a slim chance of success. I remember my favorite question, “How do you eat an elephant?” One bite at a time.
Start to figure out your bites and get going. Here’s to a better you in your personal and business life!
Ms. Simplicity, also known as Melissa Schmalenberger, operates her business as I Did It With Ms. Simplicity. She is a professional organizer based out of Fargo. Email her at melissa@mssimplicity.com .