It’s Okay To Ease Into the New Year On A Softer Note

Let’s Talk About Easing Into the New Year on a Softer Note

In several conversations recently, including with my Selah Mastermind group, the idea of easing into the New Year instead of forcing it has come up a lot. Gotta tell ya, this year, I’m really latching onto this idea.

Confession time.

I’m great at setting goals. I’m just terrible at remembering them and following through with them. So the idea of easing into a new season without feeling rushed or pressured to set big goals or an extensive list of goals sounds great. 

Over the years, I’ve gotten frustrated with myself for not being more goal-oriented. I’ve often wondered what is wrong with me, why am I not more motivated to reach my goals, and why I so easily forget them.

Last week, I started listening to a book that dives into a different way of looking at productivity and goal setting. It has challenged me to reconsider how to set goals for myself. It’s also giving me insight into some reasons I struggle with them.

Some questions it’s prompting are:

• What does growth without striving look like?
• How much physical and emotional energy will it take to reach this goal?
• Where do I need to look at enjoying the process instead of looking only for achievement?
• Do I need more goals or do I need to make a commitment to a new habit, mindset, or routine that will help me grow?

Are You Only Setting Achievement-Oriented Goals?

If you look at the “standard” list of goals we often set, a good portion of them have numbers or dates attached to them. These are good solid S.M.A.R.T. goals like the productivity experts have taught us.

We need goals like this. There are sales revenue numbers we would like to reach, savings account balances we’d like to increase, budgets that need to be trimmed, or adding less chocolate to the shopping cart. Actually, we’re going to ignore that last one.

Yeah, I’m not motivated by these (especially less chocolate). I set them and forget them.

Do you have anything on your goal list this year that you can commit to practicing and enjoy doing and not just achieving?

Are You Setting “Should-do” Goals or Value-Based Goals?

If you have a list of goals, look at them and ask: 

• Am I setting these goals because a book, a course, a social media post, or an expert says I need this type of goal to be successful? 
• Or am I setting this goal because it aligns with my values, it won’t drain me, and it will help me fulfill my calling?

Should-do goals are rarely motivating, satisfying, or will help you grow in meaningful ways.

So… a few things to consider

Does this mean you shouldn’t set goals with numbers and dates? Nope, not at all. 

This year, I have a couple of specific goals that are carry-overs from last year and a few more that I’m thinking through the details of.

1. Plans for a new program are coming together. I would like to launch my Selahpreneur Club by Mid-February and I have revenue goals for that program.
2. There are a few sales numbers and savings numbers I would like to reach. 
3. I have several publishing projects planned for this year. 
4. I’ll be opening up a new Etsy shop with a specific income goal in mind. 

Is there satisfaction in reaching these types of goals? Absolutely.

But, if we want to consider entering, and continuing this year on a softer note, it may be worth asking if you need more than a list of action-oriented, achievement goals. 

Here are a few examples of things that will grow you, but maybe are not the typical “S.M.A.R.T.” goal we usually set:

• Changing how you react to stressful people and situations.
• Saying yes to things that scare you instead of saying no. 
• Building a habit of putting yourself out there instead of hiding. Is it time to get comfortable with being uncomfortable as you market your business?
• Going out to dinner or a movie by yourself and now worrying about what others might think.
• Picking up a hobby you left behind for fun and just enjoy it, not consider it a waste of time or look for ways to monetize it.

How about your list? Is it filled with S.M.A.R.T. goals? Do you have a few growth-oriented mixed in?