How to set yourself up for success in the new year with 10 easy steps

What better time for a full refresh than a brand new year?! The new year is always my favorite time to set those new goals and intentions and get after it! Motivation always seems to be at an all time high during the first of the year, so you might as well take advantage of it while you can and use the month to set the rest of the year up right!

I absolutely LOVE the fresh start feeling that the new year brings every year. Nothing like a clean slate to get you motivated and ready to take on whatever the year is going to bring. After the year that 2020 was, I think we could all use a clean slate!

Today, I am going to be sharing a list of my 10 personal favorite ways to prepare and set myself up for a successful year. I hope that if you are looking for something to inspire you to make some moves that this can do just that! I know that I am a little late to the party here but I decided to take the first week to try and relax and unwind. In hindsight I should have probably wrote this post a month ago but I didn’t think of it until I was ready to start the process myself lol.

1. Take some time to really reflect on the last year

This might seem silly but I truly do think that it is one of the most important steps on this list. In order to set the year up for success you have to have a starting point. Once you give yourself a chance to reflect and figure out where you stand and create your base, you can build up from there. Once you do that you can brainstorm your goals and intentions. What do you want to accomplish this year? What steps can you take to get there?

2. Take down the Christmas Decor

As sad as this is, there’s something about taking down the Christmas decor that helps signal to your brain that it is a new year and that it’s time for a clean slate, literally. This may be another reason why I am just now getting started on all this for the new year because I just took down my decor a couple of days ago lol.

3. Clean out my closet

This is always a big task, IYKYK. But once I clean out my closet it gives me the motivation I need to tackle the rest of the house. Go through each and every item you own and figure out when you last wore it. If you haven’t worn it in the last year put it in the donate pile! I know that is easier said than done because sometimes we get attached to our clothes (or maybe that’s just me lol). But you can do it, I believe in you!

4. Organize and Declutter the house

How are you supposed to get your mind right when your house is a mess or full of items you no longer use? I know for me at least, when the space around me is cluttered so is my mind. It makes it so much harder to focus when all you see is a mess, even if that mess might not be visible to the eye!

5. Clean the house

Once you’ve went through and organized and donated items you don’t use anymore you can got through and clean. A clean house makes the biggest difference in your mindset and outlook. I think the cleanest my house has ever been was when I went into nesting mode before Jax made his entrance into the world. My house will never be that clean again, but one can always try. 😉

6. Be Active

This could probably go without being said since everyone everywhere is trying to do this come January 1st. But being active can make the biggest difference in so many areas of your life and can truly help you become the person you need to be to achieve those goals! I have ten times more energy, physically and mentally, when I workout and it makes tackling my to do list possible!

7. Do a digital cleanout

It’s important to do a digital cleanout as well. Go through all those pictures, videos, files, etc. so that they don’t build up and get out of hand. I like to store all of my old photos on One drive. I pay $1.99 a month so that they stay safe and accessible because I had a computer breakdown scare in the past and almost lost everything! Learn from me and backup your stuff!

8. Eat clean and start counting my macros again

The food you are eating is fueling your body and mind which you are going to need running in tip top shape in order to achieve all your goals for the year!

Progress is what fuels my motivation and counting my macros is something that works for me. Everyone sees progress in different ways, diets, workouts, etc., counting macros is mine. Counting macros allows me to not be as strict about the foods that I am eating since my main goal is to stay within my macro limits! I also just ordered a Fittrack scale which I am SOO excited for! It should be here any day but it helps you to keep track of 16 other measurements besides your weight!

9. Listen to podcasts that inspire me

Podcasts are a great way to get inspired or learn something new! I learned a lot about blogging through podcasts actually and it’s something I want to get back into. Throw on a good podcast and pop your earbuds in while your cleaning or working out, learn something new!

10. Pull out that planner

It’s time to pull out that planner and set up a routine for yourself that is going to help you accomplish everything that your heart desires. Things are much more likely to get done when they are written down, from my experience at least.

I hope my list can help you to achieve your goals this year! I wish you all the best for the year ahead, let’s make it a good one!