There is never a better time to reassess your goals and life trajectory than when a new year, births new opportunities. The cynical among us may scoff at the short-lived hype of new years’ resolutions, but what I am talking about is something entirely different.

I am talking about seizing the chance a fresh new year brings to re-evaluate what really matters to you in your life, right now.

That may mean less time at work, more time traveling, stressing less, talking to your kids more or appreciating simple pleasures such as a walk… the possibilities really are endless and will of course, be incredibly personal to you.

What I can share with you, as a wife and mother, business owner, and someone who generally thrives under pressure, is that January really does give us the time and space we need to stop for a moment and take stock of what the next year can (and will) bring forth should we want it to.

January usually means for me a new lease on life and a string of new ideas and projects that I am keen to begin bringing to fruition. January is when I plunged head-first in renovating Varenna for example, spending day and night bringing her former glory back to life, one painstaking tile at a time.

My advice for setting realistic goals for yourself for 2021, whether you are a busy corporate, business owner, family member or retiree?

• Write down ALL of your goals, no matter how astronomical or minute

Writing down your objectives helps you to keep track of what may be forgotten once your regular routine takes priority in the coming months. Your list will also help to keep you accountable and will aid in putting the initial steps in motion.

• Tell someone about what you hope to achieve in 2021

Talking to a trusted confidante about your impending career transition, sea change or travel plans helps to cement your ideas and posits them as real possibilities. The bonus? Their interest throughout the year will turbo-charge your motivation at times when you may fear your enthusiasm is falling by the wayside.

• Keep a diary and mark dates for completion

A goal really is just an idea until you take steps to make it a reality. By marking your online or hardcopy diary with realistic dates to complete small steps of your larger goal, you’ll be reminded of where you need to be in order to take one step closer to the finish line. If you are thinking of tackling on a new business venture for example, you could mark your calendar with dates to search for suitable work spaces, launch your website or decide on a catchy name.

• Move in similar circles

Staying motivated won’t magically happen, it takes endurance and resilience to run the marathon of acquiring your goals. By networking with like-minded people who want to achieve the same accolades as you, you are more likely to stick to your guns and follow through with your plans. There are countless support groups and social media networks for all sorts of goal-getters, who meet regularly, both online and in person. These will become your people; they will champion your cause and offer invaluable advice for free along the way.

• Take time to re-evaluate

The calendar year can get chaotically busy. It is an inevitability that most find it impossible to avoid. If you are serious about achieving your goals in 2021, then it is important that you take the time to assess your progress, learn from your mistakes, and remain accountable from January throughout December. Take a day or two to quietly note your accomplishments so far and make a plan to drive forward with gusto. Mountain Whispers can certainly accommodate you if a re-evaluation retreat is just what the Doctor ordered to make this step happen ;)

• Reward the small achievements

There is no point in achieving the small successes if you don’t take a moment to pat yourself on the back.

Hit the 5km mark on your last hike? Treat yourself to an exciting new playlist or a long soak in the bath.

Finally cleared out the garage and hung the storage units you’ve been meaning to for months? Celebrate with some wine and cheese while you sit back and enjoy a job well done.

Started a new course or re-enrolled in higher learning? Be proud of your commitment and purchase a new plant or candle for your soon-be-busy workstation.

Whatever you achieve, no matter how small it may seem to others, be sure to celebrate your wins to keep your motivation levels high.

Hiking in the Blue Mountains is a thrilling goal for many visitors. Image courtesy of www.visitnsw.com

Whether you are planning a huge renovation or simply clearing away the clutter, all of these steps can certainly be put into action to help you achieve what your heart desires this year. 2020 was a year of angst, worry and an awful lot of stress for so many of us, so it is important to take the time to deeply reflect on what you can do for your own happiness in 2021.

I wish you all the best with your ambitions, and I look forward to hearing about your successes here at Mountain Whispers in 2021 x