Goals for 2013 :)

.2013.

Every year it seems that we make "resolutions" to change our selves completely. By now, resolutions seem to be cliche and redundant.

I've never really been all that good with resolutions because I think I've always tried to change things at an un-realistic rate. Last year, I resolved to eat only healthy things Monday - Friday and then save the sweets and junk foods for the weekend. I also resolved to make a juice or smoothie fresh each day. I thought this would be a great way to get a better diet and it sounded great! This only lasted a week... if that. This didn't really pan out as I'd expected it to because it wasn't really something I was committed to. I was really just making a resolution for the sake of making a resolution, and well because of that it was easy for me to give up.

I think a lot of us do this. The whole "New Year, New Me!" band-wagon seems like such an enticing idea. So many people resolve to quit things cold-turkey, or vow to start something they aren't even prepared for. And as a result, the things we resolve to do, don't really get done.

In order to avoid this circle in 2013, I decided to make goals instead of resolutions.  Now, you may be thinking that a goal is just another way of saying resolution however I feel it's different. To me, goals are long-term hopes and wishes that we can work towards. The goals I set this year reflect just that. some of my goals are to start my blog, work on my website, and begin to work on videos as well as photographing things more often. Another big part of these goals were setting things to go with them, for instance I want to remain committed to my goals and maintain a positive outlook on them throughout the year.

My ideal fulfillment of these goals would be not only to start work on them now, (like I am with this blog and my site) but to also continue to working on them as the year passes. I would like to continue learning more about film, and fashion, and beauty as the year progresses so that I can further my goals and challenge my self more and more. I think that's the best way to grow, isn't it? To continue challenging yourself by setting new goals and trying to exceed them throughout the year. I don't want to become complacent once I set something up and then forget about it. I want to go further and do things to the best of my ability, when I reach a goal, I want to learn more about it so that I can expand on my knowledge or experience with that specific subject. Because I view my goals like this, I think I'll have better luck completing them.

Another thing that really helped me sort out my goals was writing them down. This way I can keep them somewhere all year in case I ever want to look back on them. Another great thing about writing down your goals is that whenever you successfully complete a goal you can cross it off and keep track of the ones you finished and the ones that you are still working towards. This is also great for updating your goals or even just used as a source of inspiration for a day when you feel a bit down. They say that by just writing down your goals you are already ahead of most, its so simple to do just that.

Another thing I decided to do was make a page of inspiration for my goals. I think this is fun and helpful for motivating you to kick-start on days when you are feeling down. Personally, I love quotes and find them very inspiring. So for my inspiration page I compiled a bunch of quotes that really stuck with me. Some of them are old favorites and others are new ones I found online and on Instagram and things like that, ha-ha. :) It may seem simple but these really help me feel more inspired because I chose personal quotes that fit my goals and inspire me.
I guess there isn't a perfect way to make goals for the New Year, and I think that this is the way that works for me. Every year, we say "This year is gonna be the one for me!" and I have finally decided to take matters into my own hands and do just that!

Do you make resolutions or goals each year?

How have they worked for you?

Let me know in the comments below!

~Amadi

♥.♥.♥