2020 has been a tough year for all of us.
We have all been through extremely stressful times and I am sure many of us can say that 2020 has been a challenge.
Fortunately, 2021 gives us a fresh start. A chance to become the best of ourselves!
Here you will find my 8 simple steps to achieve all your dreams in 2021.
1. Decide on your priorities
Everyone has different priorities. Some may focus on health and wellness, while others may focus on academics and intelligence. It’s important to decide what you want to focus on in 2021.
To do this, think about what matters to you and what you want to improve. Whether it’s spending more time with family, focusing more on school, eating healthier – whatever you decide, it’s important to set new priorities for the year.
I would advise you to choose one main goal and then select a few other smaller goals that are a little easier to achieve.
For example, I might want to focus on getting better grades, meditating every day, and reducing my time on TikTok (I can’t be alone on this goal…it’s really addicting). Focusing on better grades will take a lot more time and effort than adding a few minutes of meditation, so I should set my grades as my main priority, and meditation and decreasing TikTok time as my minor components.
2. Set goals
Once you have your priorities, it’s time to formally create goals. The easiest way to do this is to write down all your priorities and then decide which ones take the most time and which ones require the most effort.
From there, choose your main goal and any other minor goals you want to achieve. Using a notepad is usually the easiest way to do this, as you can continue with your selected goals on the following pages.
3. Be realistic
After selecting your goals, take the time to consider whether those goals are realistic enough. You know yourself better than anyone, so decide if these goals are actually achievable.
Yes, it is important to question yourself, but it is equally important not to overwhelm yourself with too difficult challenges. If you think your goal is too difficult, there’s nothing wrong with changing it to better suit your lifestyle.
4. Set a deadline
Once you have your goals, it is important to define them. Some goals may require a lot of time, while others may only take a few minutes a day.
Buying a calendar or using the calendar app on your phone can be extremely helpful in organizing your time. Be careful not to overwhelm yourself by giving yourself too much to do in a given day. If you give yourself too much to do, you’re likely to burn out or give up, but if you spread your work evenly, you’re much more likely to stay consistent.
It also gives you the ability to decide when you plan to achieve your goals. For example, do you hope to reach your goal in 1 month, 6 months or maybe the whole year?
The deadlines you set can make or break your success, so be sure to put plenty of time and thought into this process.
5. Stay disciplined
Most people rely on motivation to achieve their goals, but motivation fades after a long time.
It is therefore important to stay disciplined with yourself when achieving goals.
One way to stay disciplined is to imagine the end result. Whether it’s before a practice session or before homework, how will I feel after I finish it? Most of the time, I know that I will be relieved when the assigned task is completed, so I force myself to chase that feeling of relief away.
6. Create constant reminders
In addition to staying disciplined, it’s also important to set reminders for yourself to achieve your goals.
Using the reminders app on your phone, placing sticky notes around your house, or writing down your task in your calendar are all great examples of how to constantly remind yourself to get something done.
7. Schedule breaks
Yes, discipline is a key aspect of working towards a goal, but it’s important to take a break from time to time to avoid burnout.
That said, it’s important to think about why you think this break is necessary. Are you overwhelmed with too much to do? Are you putting too much pressure on yourself or just losing interest in your goal? If circumstances change, it’s important to reconsider your goals to make sure they still fit the larger picture of your life.
8. My Little Tricks
Finally, I’m going to leave you with 5 of my quick and easy tips to improve your 2021!
1. Reevaluate who you follow on social media.
If someone’s social media account makes you feel bad about yourself, unfollow them. You should only follow people who enlighten you and make you a better person.
2. Try at least one new hobby.
Choose a random hobby and start it without any preconceived ideas. I thought I hated reading, but after reading a book last year, I was pleasantly surprised. Even if you don’t like the hobby, at least you tried it.
3. Stop comparing yourself to others (easier said than done, I know).
When you stop comparing yourself to others, you will find more love for yourself. It’s crucial to understand that someone else’s beauty or accomplishments don’t take away from yours.
4. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, both academically and socially.
This is especially important during the pandemic, when many of us teenagers are missing out on many social events. Don’t worry, a lot of people feel like they’re missing out – so remember: you’re not alone. Also, understand that it is okay to make mistakes in school; keep working hard, and it will all work out.
5. Learn to enjoy spending time with yourself.
Before the pandemic, I never liked being at home…I always wanted to go out with friends. Yet, after starting quarantine, I quickly realized how important it was to not rely on others for fun. Now I can spend days, even weeks, at home without getting bored because I have learned to keep myself busy and have fun.
