What changes will you make to achieve your goals?

"For me, it's all about making life more interesting and enjoyable, yet still productive and full of accomplishments. Whatever I share here are simply the things that are mentally or physically helping me achieve that. I'm not a 'pro' in anything. I'm simply in love with life and always on the look for new ways to 'make work' whatever I need to 'work'."

At the start of 2023, when I started this blog, I shared the five key things I was determined to implement in my life to "upgrade my life". Since then, I had so many mindset shifts and watched my life transform into everything that I wanted it to be.

It's crazy that it's already time for me to share my new "best tips" and ways for the upcoming year, 2024.
Unfortunately, to have more content to post, I'm going to gatekeep some so you'll have to come back to read more;)

As I've mentioned, it was a craaazzy year for me. :p
I achieved more than planned and worked on myself like never before. I started this blog, started my dream uni life, was more productive than ever and had the best time living in the moment. ☆

For now, I want to share with you what I've been doing the past few days as I started thinking about what my goals for 2024 will be and what I want to put on my vision board - a topic I can also post about as I've been manifesting my life intentionally and unintentionally since I was 13 (2018). (And I swear by it.)

For now, let's focus on these 5 starting points:
1. reflect
2. brainstorm and write everything down
3. see how can you achieve the goals
4. set rules for yourself to follow
5. try implementing your new decisions

1. reflect
We often tend to fixate on everything that is going "wrong" and completely lose track of all our achievements.
For this one, I'd like you to lose your expectations for a bit and try to focus on what went well this year and try to figure out why exactly. What contributed to you being happy when you felt good? What were you doing during that "happy time"? What did you not like? What do you want to see yourself doing more? Was there anything you re/discovered about yourself, maybe that's doing something you used to like to do in your childhood? Did you meet new people? Made new friends? Maybe you cut some people off? This is the one I focused on a lot, which gave me room to be more myself and allowed me to surround myself with people who added more value to my life. But don't be fooled, as it's not all rainbows and sunshine at all times - so if you did do something similar and you're feeling lonely or lost - great job and don't worry. Everything will slowly, but surely work out. Focus on what brings you happiness and peace, and you'll attract more of the same. If you had a vision board, pull it out to see what you can cross off. If you feel like you haven't done enough - don't be discouraged! I can confirm that some things for me didn't happen in the year I wanted them, but did in the next! A year is only 365 days. Also check if there were "goals" that no longer speak to you. I encourage you to take your time with reflection because even I will first only think of what set goal I have "yet to achieve", which can feel disappointing. But then, when I take my time to look at the bigger picture - I find so many things to be grateful for. I can assure you you'll find something to be proud of. Sure, it's important to see what you want to improve on, but for now - relax and allow yourself to be proud.

2. brainstorm and write everything down
Now the fun part! Even if you didn't have any goals when you started reading, after "reflecting", you should have an idea of what you'd like to focus on in the next 52 weeks. I'm using numbers intentionally to put the "year" into perspective. The mentioned 365 days can be both a long and a short amount of time - all depending on your desires. However, don't be fooled into thinking that things aren't possible. You have to keep an open mind and a positive attitude - it's your life! I know things happen.. It would be ignorant of me to say: "Just think positively". That's why I emphasize the importance of focusing on positive accomplishments (no matter how little), memories that bring a smile to your face, and trying to put this big "new year" idea into perspective. For me, scrolling on Pinterest and making a "2024" board helps a lot. You can also search for goal setting on any social media platform to get inspired. Just like with reflecting - this will take some time. Maybe do it a little every night before sleep or during your work/school break. Find a way to fit it into your life and brainstorm! What could be fun to achieve this year? Look at it like that. If you could achieve anything - what would you do? There's the quote: "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?" (or something like that) Another one: "What if it doesn't come true? Ah, but what if it does?" (From miss Amber School on Youtube) I like to write down all the things I'd like to accomplish. From little things like "being more organised" to precise career goals. Don't overdo it though. I know exactly when I start "overdoing it". I get an icky feeling and already know when what I wrote down is not actually important to me. Write, rinse, repeat.

Another thing, don't be pressured to have many goals. You might have one thing that you'd like to put all your intention to improving, and if that's the case - focus on just that! You are in complete control of your life, and only you know what's best for you.

3. see how can you achieve the goals
Once you have your goals, ask yourself how can you start working on them. What will be the steps you'll have to take? Can you divide your goals into doable everyday habits, or will it have to be a weekly/monthly thing? Now you're taking your idea and making it reachable! Not all things will be physically doable. For example, if there's a mindset shift you're trying to achieve - you can start journaling about it. Keep in mind, whichever habits you come up with don't have to be perfectly executed. Even more, if it's something completely new, you won't be perfect right away. Make it a priority to focus on consistency rather than perfection. Ask yourself: "What will it take for me to achieve your goal?" This is also a reality check because ideas are great, but the execution is what brings them to our reality. Whatever your goals are, I would suggest you get/draw up a calendar and mark the days when you complete a habit. I prefer having a physical one so I can cross the days off every morning. This should keep you more motivated to follow through with your plans.

4. set rules for yourself to follow
This is a new one even for me. I've been making vision boards and setting goals for a few years now, but for 2024 - I'm setting concrete rules for myself as well. For example, since I'm often late, I set a rule: "Start getting ready 10 minutes before you think you should". If you have a goal of doing better in school, you might set a rule: "Everyday revise before lunch." If you want to better your mood, an example could be: "Every day, after lunch go on a 15-minute walk listening to your favourite music." It doesn't have to be dramatic - even better if it's not because the chance of you sticking to it is greater if the rule seems doable. Also, if you haven't noticed, this is habit formation. I choose to call them rules because they seem more concrete and fun. Habits seem negotiable, especially at the beginning. But rules? Firstly, they're "set by me". Therefore, they're giving me a sense of control. Secondly, they sound concrete and nonnegotiable.
Don't over-complicate this one either. I've already set a few rules and keep adding whenever I get a new idea, which might be while doing something third. (Just type them into your notes app whenever they cross your mind.) This shouldn't be something boring or to make your life "miserable" because "no one wants to be following rules". It's just to keep you in check and remind you of what you're trying to accomplish. I'll never remember on time to "start getting ready 10 minutes earlier." However, if I have an idea of my "set of rules" and I know that was one of them - I'll be more likely to get up on time.

For me, it's all about making life more interesting and enjoyable, yet still productive and full of accomplishments. Whatever I share here are simply the things that are mentally or physically helping me achieve that. I'm not a "pro" in anything. I'm simply in love with life and always on the look for new ways to "make work" whatever I need to "work".

Continuing..

5. try implementing your new decisions now
Finally, once you reflected on your last 365 days, made some new goals and created your set of rules - you get to test them!
Look at it as a trial period before the "real deal". There is a lot of pressure to start on the first of the year, but if you wait for that you'll always be disappointed with your progress because it will never be perfect. You might also find out before time what will and won't work for you. You might think you have a perfect strategy only to find out it's not a sustainable one. Now you feel even better prepared! It will also get you excited! You might even start seeing early results if you start now.

And if you're reading this after the "start of the year" (which you are because I'm uploading it late <3) don't be discouraged to start on a random Tuesday. Even better. Nobody will see it coming.. 😉

All this talk about improving yourself, and setting goals, rules and expectations is great, but for that to work, it has to come from a positive mindset, always. (a positive intention..)

Starting a new year should be exciting for you. Don't pressure yourself more than you know you can handle. Try to make everything look as enjoyable as possible. Have fun with it and see how much you can experience your life to the fullest, whatever that means for you!

That's it from me guys. I'll be posting on Instagram the next time I post.. Hopefully next weekend..
Follow me on Instagram @nelacupic to see hehe

As always, thank you so much for reading. I get excited over every new "visit" on my site and am always indescribably grateful for the support.

random add:
I just got a free croissant at my campus.. I'm taking it as a reward for writing all of this in one sitting #lifeisgood

Sending you lots of love, Nela