How to Make this Year Better than the Last

Happy New Year ya'll!

It's finally 2018 and if you're anything like me than you've already started planning out your year and have a laundry list of goals that you want to accomplish. If not, then you should probably get to it.

I try to make every year better than the last by adding something different to my daily routine, getting rid of a bad habit or even removing myself from negative situations. I don't know about you all but 2017 was all about growth for me. I dealt with a few things that I personally thought I couldn't handle but eventually got through it with help from my family, friends and God. He allows certain things to happen in our lives to prepare us for what is to come in the future.

There are so many things that you can do to look forward to a better year. Keep reading for some of my tips on how to make the new year better than the last.

1. Set goals AND deadlines

It's easy to set a goal but it isn't always easy to actually accomplish that goal. When you set a deadline and hold yourself accountable to it, it helps you to get it done on or before the date you set. Every month, I write down a list of 10 goals that I want to accomplish by the end of the month. These are usually small goals or short-term goals that I know are capable of being accomplished within a month's time frame. But for you, they don't have to be short-term. You can set goals for whatever you want to accomplish just make sure it gets done.

If you feel like you can't do it alone, look into obtaining an accountability partner. Someone who you trust and has your best interest at heart. I actually have two. You can never have too many.

2. Create a vision board

I LOVE designing vision boards. Every year for the past two years, I've been creating vision boards filled with different pictures of words, quotes, clothes, ect. that resembles what I want my year to look like. It's been said that when you create an actual visual that displays what you want, it will come true. The key is placing it in a space where you often see it. After seeing the board on a daily basis you eventually end up doing small visualization exercises throughout the day which helps bring your visions to life.

3. Rearrange your routine

Consistency is key. It's important to have a daily routine to keep you on track to accomplishing those goals that I mentioned above. So, if you find that what you've been doing everyday hasn't really been working for you then change it! Nobody has more control over your life than you. Everyday, I make sure I wake up and say my daily mantra, I listen to a motivational podcast during my commute to work and make sure to squeeze a 30 minute nap in when I have the time.

4. Strategize

So you have you your list of goals, but how to do you plan to accomplish them? What will you do to ensure that your goals are met? You have to come up with a strategy; a plan of action designed to achieve an overall aim. You can not get the results you want without putting a strategy in place. Similar to your daily routine, you have to have something that you will do on a consistent basis that will bring you the results you want. How do you know if that strategy will work? It's all about trial an error. It takes time to figure out exactly what works for you. Trust me, I still haven't found the key to my success but you have to start somewhere.

5. Have a positive mindset

Your mindset is everything. I have a habit of thinking negatively about a lot of things which is one habit that I will be leaving in 2017. You have to be open minded. Things aren't always going to happen the way you want it to but, it's important to handle everything with a positive attitude. It can definitely be hard to stay positive at all times but I've noticed that when you do, things tend to work out in your favor anyway. God has a plan for each of us but we can't let our attitudes block his blessings.

Photographer: Tayo (@olugbenga_o)