It’s so easy to think up goals. It doesn’t take long to envision perfect-case scenarios, but it’s not so easy to break those idealized end results into practical and attainable steps.

I love New Year’s, but I’ve never been a fan on the word “resolution.” My mind associates this word with the largely unfulfilled wishes and wants of nearly every single person at the beginning of each year.

So, instead of sharing a list of “resolutions” I have going into 2018, I am instead going to share my goals and how I plan to achieve them. I hope that outlining these out and publishing them will help hold me accountable, as well as inspire you entering into this new year.

Read a New Book Every Week

PLAN : read on the shuttle to class as well as at least 30 minutes before going to bed

I absolutely love to read, but once school starts I have a tendency to push aside leisure reading because my school books provide me more than enough material. However, I’ve started to realize how important and refreshing it is to read something that I choose for myself. Not only does it further expand my knowledge and vocabulary, but it is an interesting and productive alternative to wasting away time on Netflix.

Drink More Water

PLAN : drink water before bed and when I wake up and carry a refillable bottle with me at all times

It alarms me to think back on days last semester when I am almost certain I drank more coffee than water. I know how alert, focused, and healthy I feel when I am properly hydrated, so I want drinking water to be one of my top priorities for this year.

Eat Healthy

PLAN : start out the day with a healthy breakfast, choose fruits and vegetables over processed foods, and limit myself to one small dessert a day

I know this is a stereotypical New Year’s resolution, but just like staying hydrated, my body feels significantly better when I am putting good food into it. Not to mention, my skin looks clearer and I have more focus and energy. This is probably going to be one of my hardest goals though because I am such a foodie and have a massive sweet tooth. I feel if I stay focused on eating healthy during the week, then the weekends I can treat myself a little more. In moderation, of course.

Publish a Blog Post Every Week

PLAN : brainstorm all weekly posts at the beginning of every month and schedule time for blogging in my planner

First semester I had a very hard time balancing the transition to college while also navigating the beginning stages of my blog. As a result, my posts were few and far between because I never dedicated specific time to it, it was more of something I did when I had free time. Similar to the way I designate time for homework and meetings, I am going to make blogging more of a priority.

Create a Workout Schedule

PLAN : workout Monday-Friday as well as Sunday and come up with a workout plan at the beginning of each week that incorporates an even distribution of fitness classes and independent workouts

Often when I went to the gym last semester, I didn’t really think out what I wanted to accomplish while there. Because of this, I just sort of went on the treadmill or elliptical for a set amount of time, but I never made significant progress. I did attend a few workout classes here and there, but I want to do a better job of planning out the ones I want to attend ahead of time.

Stay Inspired

PLAN : dedicate 15 minutes every day to pursuing something I am curious about or interested in

I think it is so important to find inspiration in each and every day, no matter how boring or monotonous things may appear at the outset. Staying inspired helps motivate us to achieve our goals and spur excitement for what’s to come. I hope 2018 is a productive and inspirational year for you, and feel free to check out the post where I talk all about my top tips for time management.

I would love to hear what your goals are for 2018 and how you plan to achieve them!