Happy New Year Chilliwack!  We’ve said farewell to 2013, as we welcome 2014 with open arms and, perhaps, a glass of bubbly.  2014: untainted and full of opportunities.   We make audacious promises, since 2014 is a clean slate; a chance to start over.  We say, “this year I will get healthier, be happier, spend more time with family, make more money” and so on.
 
Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple.  The switch to a New Year is not a clean slate; it’s a simple turn of a page in a calendar.  You bring your habits and circumstances right into the New Year with you.
 
My point is not that we should give up on New Years Resolutions and goal setting altogether. But if we want to make a change in 2014, we have to start with 2013.
 
Reflect on 2013
As I mentioned above, a New Year is not a clean slate.  You have roles (mother, husband, career person etc.), habits (good and bad) and circumstance (living situation, finances, etc.) that are accompanying you into 2104.  Before moving forward, now is the time to reflect on the past year.  What did you accomplish?  What stands out?   What didn’t go so well?  What is your overall feeling about the past year?   I recently did this for my business and shared it on my website.
 
Make your goals specific
Once you’ve reviewed the past year and determined your start point, its time to convert general feelings into specific goals.  For example, if you want to be fitter this year, a goal may be to run three times per week, or race in five 10K runs.     If you want to spend more time with your family, a goal may be to schedule a meaningful activity to do with your entire family once per week and to eat at least four dinners at home together during the week.  Your goal can be simple and small.  Maybe you want to write in a journal once per week, read six books this year, or to spend one week abroad.  Pick one to three goals and write them down.
 
Make a Plan
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said ‘a goal without a plan is just a wish’.  Think about what you need to do to achieve each of your goals.  For example, if you want to race in five 10K runs, you’ll need to pick your races, have a training plan and schedule in your runs.  If you want to have four dinners with your family each week you’ll need to have a meal plan, and make sure to be home by dinner time.
 
I wish you a healthy, successful, and joyful 2014.
 
Tanja Shaw is the owner of Ascend Fitness Inc., a private training studio.  Tanja and her team of expert fitness professionals works to inspire and educate Chilliwack residents to make positive and power changes in their lives through physical fitness and sound nutrition.  For more fitness tips go to www.ascendfitnesscoaching.com.