Goals Not Resolutions

Each season as another new year approaches we all take the time to think about our resolutions we want to make. I should (insert activity) more and (insert a vice) less. We almost always set ourselves up to fail, so this year I decided to approach my new year from a new perspective. Rather than coming from a negative "I shouldn't do this" mentality, I decided to swap resolutions for goals.

Starting from more of a "yes" mentality enables us to create a vision and creating the vision is the first step in making it a reality. Think of all the things you want to accomplish this year and be realistic with your goals. If you start with something that is so daunting you will never complete it. Make a list of the top three goals you have for this year and the basic steps you need to take to reach them. For example, one of my goals is to getting something published in the New York Times. How do I get that done? Set aside some time to come up with article ideas, read through sections in the Times and see where they might fit, research editors to pitch to, write a pitch and send it on its way. While it seems like a lofty goal, breaking it down to smaller steps makes it more manageable. Even if nothing sticks over the course of the year, I'll know I at least tried. (But let's hope something does!)

Go ahead, get a notebook or pad of paper and write down:

1.)
2.)
3.)


And fill in those 2015 goals (not resolutions)!