Mastering Your New Year’s Goals: Achieve Sustainable Success Without Overwhelm

Who else feels like they are still trying to get a handle on their goals for the year? If that resonates with you, trust me – you are absolutely not alone! For me, with a recent move and a myriad of new features and aspects shaping this year, I’m only just now solidifying my goals, even though it’s already February. Speaking of new aspects, I’m thrilled to announce a significant one: I’ve brought on my very first contributor to Jessica in the Kitchen! It’s a bit daunting and completely new territory, but it feels incredibly right, and she is truly amazing. I found myself breathing a sigh of “finally.”

Chloe is here to help us finally deliver all the content you’ve been eagerly requesting, including a wealth of new and inspiring wellness insights! I’m personally devouring all these tips myself to ensure I don’t overwhelm my own process in this exciting new phase. I genuinely hope you find Chloe’s words as helpful and insightful as I do. Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!

P.S. You might notice something a little different about me – I cut my hair! A blog post (or rather, a life update!) about that transformation is coming next month!

– Jessica

Happy 2019, everyone! Chloe here, Jessica’s new contributor. I typically write about life, food, and wellness over on my blog, The Basics, but I am beyond excited to contribute to Jessica in the Kitchen and share some valuable insights with this wonderful community!

I wanted to kick off my first post by diving into a topic that touches us all at the start of a new year: the deluge of goals and resolutions. More importantly, I want to discuss how to approach these aspirations without letting them completely overwhelm your life. Trust me when I say I’ve been that person who enthusiastically writes out a million resolutions or massive, ambitious goals, only to become so utterly overwhelmed that I throw in the towel almost immediately. Raise your hand if this sounds familiar. Okay, good to know I’m definitely not alone in this struggle!

But in all seriousness, what’s the real trick to not getting completely bogged down by your good intentions? I can’t claim to have perfected the art of goal-setting, but I have certainly learned a few crucial things over the last couple of years. So, consider this my best advice, distilled from personal experience and a lot of trial and error!

Effective Strategies for Achieving Your Goals

Prioritize Small Victories Over Grand Goals

This has arguably been one of the most transformative tips I’ve picked up over the years. My previous mindset dictated that the only meaningful accomplishments had to be monumental. I believed if it wasn’t a huge, earth-shattering goal, it wasn’t worth pursuing. However, I’ve since discovered a powerful truth: breaking down a massive objective into a series of smaller, manageable steps dramatically increases your likelihood of success.

The psychology behind this is compelling. Big goals can be incredibly intimidating. They loom large, creating a sense of anxiety and often paralysis before you even begin. Small victories, on the other hand, build momentum. Each tiny accomplishment provides a dopamine hit, a tangible feeling of progress that fuels your motivation and reinforces your belief in your ability to achieve. This creates a positive feedback loop, turning what once felt like an insurmountable climb into an exciting journey of incremental wins.

For instance, if your ultimate goal is to “go vegan” in 2019 after a lifetime of meat and dairy consumption, that can suddenly feel like an incredibly daunting task. Instead of attempting to go cold turkey, which often leads to burnout, consider a phased approach. Start by making one simple change per month. Perhaps this month, you focus on swapping out your cow’s milk for a non-dairy variety. Or, go even smaller and simply replace your coffee creamer with a plant-based alternative. The key is to celebrate these smaller shifts. Each step, no matter how minor, that moves you in the direction of your larger goal is a victory and counts towards your overall progress. This principle applies to all areas of life: if you want to run a marathon, start with a 10-minute walk each day. If you aim to learn a new language, begin by mastering five new vocabulary words each week. These micro-habits are the building blocks of lasting change and significant achievement.

Exercise Caution with Fleeting Trends

Last year, the world seemed to be taken over by the clean skincare and beauty movement (and honestly, I love seeing it everywhere!). I, someone who didn’t even wash my face regularly, suddenly decided that 2018 was the year I’d transform into a skincare guru, investing in tons of new, “clean” products. What actually transpired? I ended up spending a significant amount of money on products that are now gracefully collecting dust on my bathroom shelf. My point is this: while the beginning of the year always brings a captivating array of new wellness trends, don’t get swept away by every single one.

The allure of trends is undeniable. They promise quick fixes, exciting new routines, and often tap into a desire for instant self-improvement. However, the pitfall lies in their often superficial nature and lack of personalization. What works for a social media influencer or a celebrity might not align with your actual needs, lifestyle, or even your existing habits. Instead of jumping on every bandwagon, take a moment to reflect on whether a trend genuinely serves your long-term goals or simply distracts you with novelty.

This advice circles back to the idea of small victories versus big-picture goals. Would I aspire to be a clean skincare/beauty guru? Absolutely! But perhaps a more sensible and sustainable starting point would be to simply learn to consistently wash my face every single day. Focusing on these foundational habits, rather than chasing every new product or regimen, leads to more sustainable progress and less wasted effort and resources. Before adopting a new trend, ask yourself: “Does this align with my core values? Is it something I can realistically integrate into my life, or is it just another fleeting obsession?” Prioritizing genuine self-care over trendy fads is key to lasting wellness.

Cultivate Your Goals in Private

I understand the irresistible urge to share every aspect of your life on social media. It’s the pervasive culture we live in today. However, when it comes to your deeply personal goals and resolutions for 2019 – the things you truly hope to achieve or improve upon – I advocate for playing your cards a little closer to the vest.

When you publicly declare your aspirations for the entire world to see, it can inadvertently place immense pressure on you to follow through, regardless of changing circumstances or personal feelings. This external pressure, while seemingly motivating, can often backfire. If you don’t meet those publicly stated expectations, feelings of failure and disappointment are almost inevitable, and that feeling truly sucks.

Setting a private goal, one that is solely for your own benefit and understanding, grants you invaluable wiggle room. It allows your goals to evolve organically as the year progresses, adapting to new insights, unexpected challenges, or shifts in your priorities. With a private commitment, there’s no need to justify subtle changes in your plans or explain detours to anyone. This fosters a sense of freedom and flexibility, ensuring that your pursuit of growth remains an intrinsically motivated journey, free from the burden of external judgment or the need for constant validation. Your goals are personal journeys, and sometimes, the most effective way to nurture them is in quiet contemplation, allowing them to flourish away from the public gaze.

Connect with Your Core “Why”

Whenever I find myself feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or even just unmotivated about anything, my immediate reflex is to return to my fundamental “why.” Why am I dedicating my time, investing my money, or becoming emotionally invested in this particular endeavor? What is the core reason I care so deeply about achieving this? Engaging in this self-inquiry typically has a profound calming effect, quickly bringing clarity and perspective to the situation.

Conversely, if I’m experiencing a dip in motivation or feeling a general lack of enthusiasm, reconnecting with my “why” can powerfully reinvigorate my spirit. Understanding the deeper purpose behind my actions serves as an internal compass, guiding me back to my path and reminding me of the profound significance of my efforts. Your “why” is your ultimate source of resilience and fuel, especially when the path ahead becomes challenging. It’s the enduring reason that will pull you through moments of doubt and setback.

To truly harness the power of your “why,” take time for reflection. Ask yourself what truly matters to you. What values are you upholding? What impact do you wish to make, whether on yourself or the world around you? Journaling, meditation, or simply quiet contemplation can help uncover these deeper motivations. When your “why” is clear, your goals transform from mere tasks into meaningful pursuits, giving you the strength and conviction to overcome obstacles and achieve lasting success.

And there you have it! Four actionable and easy-to-implement tips that I sincerely hope will help you conquer that pervasive feeling of overwhelm that often creeps in at the beginning of the year. Do you have any specific strategies or rituals you like to employ to keep stress and overwhelm at bay during this time of year? I’d absolutely love to hear about your experiences and insights in the comments below! Your shared wisdom could be incredibly helpful to others navigating their own goal-setting journeys.