Don't Derail in '24: Your Friendly Guide to Staying on Track

Happy New Year! I truly hope 2024 is one that you can look back on with great positivity, in whichever way that is meaningful to you.

If, like me, you fall into a cycle of unkept resolutions and goals, how is 2024 going to be any different? I’m sure you have heard the saying 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results’ from Albert Einstein.

No judgment here, friends. We've all been there: the gym membership collecting dust, the side hustle gathering cobwebs, the "learn a new language" app hiding in shame.

But guess what? 2024 is a blank page, and we get to write a new story. This time, let's forget about the normal derailment and crush our objectives! So, how do we avoid becoming professional tumbleweeds in the new year? Here are some battle-tested tips (stolen from some wise folks like James Clear):

1. Ditch the "all-or-nothing" trap: Remember those 7-day juice cleanses and 5-am workout routines? Yeah, they're like fireworks: spectacular, but unsustainable. Instead, let's aim for tiny, consistent wins. Start with 10-minute exercise sessions or 30-minute daily sprints on your side hustle. These small steps will snowball into a mountain of progress before you know it.

2. Befriend the power of "just do it": Feeling overwhelmed by a task? Don't overthink it, just start for 2 minutes. Set a timer and see what you can accomplish. Often, the hardest part is getting started, and those 2 minutes can turn into an hour of productive flow. Bonus points for putting your phone in another room, distractions be gone!

3. Make it a party (even if it's just for one): Let's face it, most goals aren't exactly thrilling. So, let's jazz things up! Celebrate even the small wins (aced that presentation? high five!), reward yourself for progress (finished a chapter of your book? treat yourself to that fancy coffee!), and find an accountability buddy to cheer you on (virtual dance parties for completed milestones? I'm in!).

4. Embrace the detours (but don't get lost): Life throws curveballs, that's a given. But instead of letting them derail us, let's see them as detours leading to hidden gems. Maybe that missed deadline forced you to find a more efficient way to work. Or perhaps that unexpected client meeting sparked a brilliant new idea. Be flexible, adapt, and use the unexpected to fuel your progress.

5. Take advantage of our existing (often unconscious) habits. One of the best tips I learned from the Atomic Habits book and a key reason I know I am better equipped to keep my resolutions in 2024 is habit stacking. Pair your desired activity with an already-formed habit. Again, keep it small to start with, complete the desired habit before the formed one, and be specific. For example, I will meditate for 2 minutes before I have my morning coffee, or I will read 2 pages of a book before I have lunch.

Remember, friends, it's not about being perfect, it's about being persistent. Let's show 2024 who's boss, one tiny win at a time. Every day is a new start, and embrace the detours, don’t worry about missing a day here or there, get back on track as soon as you can and remember why the goal or resolution was important to you in the first place. Now go forth and conquer!

And, if you're looking for some extra motivation or accountability, drop me a message, and let's keep each other on track. We're in this together, and together, we'll crush those goals like nobody's business.

Cheers to a laser-focused and epic 2024!

P.S. Don't forget to check out James Clear's awesome article on habit formation for even more inspiration: https://jamesclear.com/habit-guide and get the book, Atomic Habits, it’s a game changer.