Ready or not, it’s time to start a new year! If you are a goal setter, you have probably spent time during the last week or two of 2017 reviewing and planning your goals for 2018. Whether you make resolutions, set goals, make 30-day plans, here are 8 Ways to start 2018 right.
Grab a piece of paper, your favorite notebook or planner and start brainstorming how you can start 2018 right. Here are 8 ideas to get you started.
8 Ways To Start 2018 Right
1. Choose a word for 2018 (or two or three)
The first time I choose a word for the year was 2017. I chose the word growth. Throughout the year, I would come back to this word and remind myself I wanted to grow in 2017. It helped me find areas in my personal and professional life to grow.
This year, I chose 3 words for 2018 and three things to leave behind. Here are my words:
- Faith, not fear
- Focus, not indecision
- Abundance, not scarcity
I added a Bible verse too, I Chronicles 4:10 (also known as the Prayer of Jabez), “And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!’ So God granted him what he requested.”
Think about a word (or words) you would like to describe your year for 2018 and find a Bible promise to support your word.
2. Set Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Goals
If you want to get things done in 2018, set goals and timeframes to complete them. Don’t just say I want to lose 10 pounds in 2018, say I want to lose 10 pounds in 2018 by losing 2 pounds a week and 10 pounds by February 15th.
By creating smaller goals within your bigger goals, you will be able to stay focused and more likely to complete all of them.
3. Drink More Water
Do you drink enough water every day? I don’t. Many days I drink mostly Sweet Tea. It’s not likely I will give up my Sweet Tea, but I can add more water to replace some of my Sweet Tea.
Water is so important for our bodies. We need it to keep our cells and skin hydrated (caffeine drinks don’t hydrate us) and it helps flush fat and toxins from our bodies.
So, my goal is to start drinking 16 ounces of water in the mornings and 16 ounces of water in the afternoons. This goal will add 32 ounces of water to my day which is a great start!
What about you? How much water are you drinking?
4. Eat a Healthier Diet
After #3, you probably expected I would say eat a healthier diet. I did not say you have to follow a specific diet plan (you can choose one that works for you and your family).
Eating healthier might mean you remove chips, sodas, high calorie/high sugar foods from your diet or it might be better portion control or no snacking between meals and after dinner.
Because eating is vital to life, you might be more successful with one small change every week or two rather than making all the big changes at one time. I suggest one small change gradually so you don’t feel deprived and then fail or quit the diet changes after a week or two.
5. Add 20 Minutes of Exercise
If you don’t currently have any exercise in your life and especially if you have a lifestyle where you sit for long periods of time, adding a little exercise could be good (be sure to check with your doctor to confirm you are healthy enough for exercise before starting any exercise programs).
Busy moms have a difficult time adding exercise to their days. I suggest if you are not exercising to lose weight, try just adding 20-30 minutes of exercise a day. It will get your heart pumping and you will feel more energized.
6. Start Every Day with a Plan
Many times we just start our days with no focus and no plan. Make it a habit in 2018 to start your day with a plan. Every night before bed or in the first few minutes every morning, write down your “must-do’s” for the day and an action plan.
After a week, you will be surprised by how much you are getting done.
7. Create Morning and Evening Routines that Work
We all have routines we follow even if we don’t realize it. Having the right morning routine will help you start your day right. Morning disasters add stress and usually affect us all day. Determine to create a morning routine that will work for you. If you need help with a morning routine, Smart Mom Smart Mornings gives you a 30-day plan to transform your mornings.
Evening routines are also important. Evenings should help you settle down and complete your day. A few times a week add in some “mom time” or self-care like reading your favorite book or a hot bubble bath.
8. Start a New Habit
What is something you have been wanting to change about yourself? A new year is a perfect time to start a new habit.
A new habit can be many things like getting up earlier or going to bed earlier, reading for 30 minutes every evening instead of watching TV, spending more family time, cooking at home instead of eating fast food.
Take a moment and pick one new habit you would like to start and focus on in 2018. Pick something good, something that will make a difference. When you look back in December 2018, you can say, Wow! What a difference.
Wishing you a Happy New Year and an amazing year in 2018!
Blessings to you and your family.
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