Welcome to the new year – a blank slate ahead of us. I know the temptation to get carried away with high expectations and strict resolutions. But how about we take a different path this year? In this blog post, I suggest a gentler approach.
Let’s not let ourselves be overwhelmed by unrealistic goals. Instead, we should appreciate the successes we have already achieved and focus on achievable goals. It’s about being grateful for what we have and are and allowing ourselves to grow at our own pace. Let’s welcome the year with open arms and a smile – not burdened by too high expectations, but ready for the beautiful opportunities it holds.
Avoid unrealistic goals
Unrealistic goals for the new year? A classic mistake. Too often we set ourselves high goals at the beginning of the year that are hardly achievable. The result? Disappointment and frustration. It’s time to change that.
Let’s start with reality: not every goal is achievable. You won’t run a marathon in two weeks. Accepting that is not a sign of weakness, but of wisdom. Instead, set yourself achievable goals. How about running home from the office twice a week? In short: small steps lead to success, not giant leaps.
Think about goals you have already achieved. What worked? Often it is the realistic, well-thought-out resolutions that we can actually implement. Learn from them. Set goals that fit your lifestyle, that take your current abilities into account and that leave room for growth.
A tip: Write down your goals. Make them measurable and verifiable. A non-specific goal like „living healthier“ is difficult to grasp. „Jog three times a week“ is concrete and verifiable. Here is a selection of helpful apps. Apps can also be a great help in implementing resolutions.
Be lenient with yourself. Not every goal will be achieved. That’s OK. The important thing is that you tried and learned from it. That way you can start the new year more relaxed and content .
Think about the goals you have already achieved
Looking back is the key to success. Before you set new goals for the year, stop and look at what you have already achieved. This reflection is more than just self-congratulation – it is an important strategy for setting realistic goals.
Every success, no matter how small, is a piece of the mosaic of your abilities. These successes show what you can really achieve. Maybe you ran a half marathon last year, read a book that had been on your list for a long time, or just spent time with your family on a regular basis. Each of these successes counts.
Analyze what made these successes possible. Was it your discipline, your planning or your passion? Understand the mechanisms behind your successes. You will realize that it is often small, realistic steps that lead to the goal.
Use these insights to set your new goals. Set resolutions that build on your strengths and are realistic. Go into the new year with the certainty that you are building on a solid foundation. This is not daydreaming, but strategic planning. Your success in the past is the best indicator of your success in the future.
Do not set more than five resolutions
The magic of five: why less is more. A new year, a sea of possibilities, but the key is to limit yourself. Don’t set yourself more than five resolutions. Why five? Because overloading leads to overwhelm. Five goals are enough to remain ambitious but realistic.
Let’s take an example: Imagine you have ten goals. You want to exercise more, save energy, eat healthier, read a book a month, take a language course, visit your family more often, meditate daily, manage your finances better, take up a new hobby, do volunteer work and renovate your house. Does that sound doable? Probably not.
Reduce to five. Choose goals that are most important to you and that you can realistically achieve. Maybe you choose exercise, eating healthier, reading, visiting family, and meditating. This selection is more focused and allows room for a deeper reflection on each goal.
Remember: It’s about quality, not quantity. Five well-thought-out resolutions offer a better chance of success and satisfaction. Don’t overdo it. Less is often more, especially when it comes to New Year’s resolutions.
Smart goals: the key to real success
When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, there is often a fine line between ambitious goals and realistic expectations. A goal should always be achievable and realistic. This means it must be in line with your life circumstances, abilities and resources.
Let’s take the example of Laura, a working mother who has resolved to live a healthier lifestyle. An unrealistic resolution would be to spend two hours in the gym every day. Given her work and family commitments, this is hardly achievable. Instead, Laura sets herself a more realistic goal: to exercise at home for half an hour three times a week. She chooses exercises that she can easily incorporate into her daily routine without feeling overwhelmed.
Laura understands that the key to success is to align her goals with her real capabilities. Instead of burdening herself with unattainable expectations, she creates a balance that allows her to make progress while fulfilling her other responsibilities.
The moral of the story? Set goals that you can actually achieve. Consider your life situation and be honest with yourself about what is doable. This way, you will not only achieve your goals, but also enjoy the feeling of success and satisfaction that comes with them. Realistic goals are the real key to sustainable success and long-term satisfaction.
With Gratitude into the New Year
Das neue Jahr zu beginnen bedeutet nicht nur, sich neuen Zielen zuzuwenden, sondern auch, sich einen Moment Zeit zu nehmen, um Dankbarkeit zu üben. Dankbarkeit ist eine kraftvolle Haltung, die nicht nur unsere Stimmung verbessert, sondern auch unseren Blick auf das Leben verändert.
Anstatt das Jahr mit dem Gefühl zu beginnen, etwas verändern zu müssen, sollten wir erst einmal innehalten und wertschätzen, was wir bereits haben. Dies könnte eine Liste von Dingen umfassen, für die man dankbar sein sollte:
Gesundheit: Sei es die eigene oder die der Liebsten, Gesundheit ist ein unschätzbares Gut. Apropos Gesundheit, hier finden Sie Tipps, wie Sie die Grippewelle überstehen.
Familie und Freunde: Die Menschen, die uns unterstützen und lieben, sind eine Quelle des Glücks und des Trostes.
Berufliche Erfolge: Auch kleine Erfolge im Berufsleben verdienen Anerkennung und Dankbarkeit.
Persönliches Wachstum: Jeder Schritt, den wir im vergangenen Jahr in unserer persönlichen Entwicklung gemacht haben.
Die kleinen Freuden des Alltags: Eine Tasse Kaffee am Morgen, ein gutes Buch, ein Spaziergang in der Natur.
Indem wir mit Dankbarkeit beginnen, setzen wir einen positiven Ton für das kommende Jahr. Es hilft uns, unsere Perspektive zu verschieben und uns auf das Positive zu konzentrieren, anstatt uns von dem, was noch nicht erreicht wurde, runterziehen zu lassen. So starten wir motiviert und zufrieden ins neue Jahr.
Neujahrsvorsätze: Weniger Druck, mehr Freude
Ein neues Jahr sollte nicht mit dem Druck unerreichbarer Ziele und strenger Vorsätze beginnen. Der Schlüssel zu einem zufriedenen Start ins neue Jahr liegt in der Besinnung auf das Erreichbare und das bereits Erreichte.
Erinnern wir uns daran, dass es besser ist, sich wenige, aber realistische Ziele zu setzen, als sich in einem Meer von Vorsätzen zu verlieren. Wie bei einem gut komponierten Lied, bei dem jede Note zählt, so ist es auch mit unseren Vorsätzen. Weniger, aber dafür wohlüberlegt und harmonisch auf unser Leben abgestimmt.
Der Rückblick auf unsere bisherigen Erfolge dient dabei als Kompass für das Setzen neuer, realistischer Ziele. Und vergessen wir nicht die Kraft der Dankbarkeit – sie ist wie ein Anker, der uns in stürmischen Zeiten Halt gibt und uns daran erinnert, was wirklich zählt.
Das neue Jahr als eine Gelegenheit zu sehen, sich selbst zu feiern, statt sich selbst zu kritisieren – das ist die Pointe. Es geht nicht darum, perfekt zu sein, sondern darum, sich selbst Raum zum Wachsen zu geben. So starten wir entspannt, zufrieden und voller Freude in ein neues Kapitel unseres Lebens.
So starten Sie entspannt in 2024:
- Vermeiden Sie unrealistische Ziele: Setzen Sie sich erreichbare Ziele, die zu Ihrem Lebensstil und Ihren Fähigkeiten passen.
- Reflektieren Sie vergangene Erfolge: Nutzen Sie Ihre bisherigen Erfolge als Grundlage für neue, realistische Ziele.
- Limit yourself to a maximum of five resolutions: A limited number of goals helps to maintain focus and realism.
- Set smart, realistic goals: Consider your personal circumstances and resources when setting goals.
- Practice gratitude: Start the year with a positive attitude by focusing on what you are grateful for.
