My 2019 Goals and Motivation Tips

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Hi friends. I’ve been taking quite the unexpected hiatus from the blog so far this year. 2019 started well, for a day, then I got a headache that just seemed to not want to go away. I deal with headaches from time to time so I didn’t think too much of it until I started to get a rash on my forehead. So most of 2019 for me so far has involved dealing with shingles. 

My intention was to do Part 2 to my goal setting post much earlier but sometimes life happens. Anyway, I’m finally sharing my 2019 goals and some tips to keep yourself motivated to achieve your goals. 

This post contains affiliate links. So if you make a purchase using my link, I’ll receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. 

My 2019 Goals

Lose weight/Get healthier

Of course this is one of my goals. Isn’t it everyone’s? Over the past 2+ years that I have been at my current job I’ve gained between 15-20 pounds (and I already wasn’t super happy with my weight). My current job is probably the most sedentary job I’ve had. I worry because I’m now in my 30s, and if I don’t make health changes now, it may never happen. I do have a specific number in mind, I just don’t think I want to get that personal on the internet yet. 

With getting sick this year, I see the importance at making sure my immune system is functioning well, which of course includes healthy eating and exercise. 

I haven’t been eating well these first few weeks of the year – I’ve honestly just been eating whatever I want, whenever I want because my appetite hasn’t been the greatest. I do plan to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my routine and eat at home more. For longer than I’d like to admit my diet has been mainly take out, so that needs to change. 

I have specific check in dates that I’ve set for myself to make sure I’m on the right track. The dates are significant to no one but myself which I think is an important thing to do. Sometimes you need an event or a timeframe to keep you motivated, so whether that be a vacation, a birthday, or just the weather getting warmer, set check in times that will keep YOU motivated. While being healthier is a lifestyle change, sometimes having an outside motivator can be that extra push we need to stay on track. 

Travel like crazy

This is the least specific of all of my goals, but part of that is because it’s dependent on goal 3. 

I have some major wanderlust guys. I don’t want to sound ungrateful because I have been able to go to Walt Disney World twice and visit friends and family in other cities, but there is so, so much of the world (and even the US) that I haven’t seen. 

I’m not sure how many trips this means, but I do know I want to go to Disney again. I would like to try to visit some family again and maybe do another trip to somewhere else I’ve never been. That would be the ideal, so we’ll see!

Self-employment 

This is the biggie. Although it’s the third goal listed, it’s my number one. I realized when looking back on my goals from last year (most of which I didn’t keep, tbh) this was one of my goals. It kicked in more when I started the blog, but even before that I had ideas about freelancing and even starting an Etsy shop. Now the blog is my top focus, but I do have another idea that I’m hoping to make into a side project sometime this year. 

Motivation

Motivation is one of the biggest challenges people face when trying to tackle goals. You have to be motivated enough to start, and you have to stay motivated when things get difficult. Here are some easy ways to keep yourself motivated. 

Put your goals everywhere

Currently I have my 2019 goals listed in a note on my phone, handwritten in a journal, and now, on my computer in a word document and this blog post. What are the things you’re looking at or using daily? I’m sure your phone is probably one of them. So write a note or make your goals your phone’s background. Try to find at least one other place for your goals. Even just a list taped to your wall works.

I’m currently working on creating a vision board around my goals. This is another great way to constantly keep your goals on your mind. Put it somewhere you’ll see everyday, like your closet door or right across from your bed.

One other daily goal reminder I’ve done in the past was to have a piece of jewelry that represented my goal in someway. This is something that only has to have meaning to you, and it can really be anything, not just jewelry. When I was in my senior year of college I found a necklace at Target that was supposed to mean “believe”. I took it to mean believing in myself, as I was in a stressful time with trying to graduate, get a job, and get into grad school. Having that necklace served as a daily reminder to keep believing in myself to achieve my goals. Right before Christmas this past year a bracelet I had my eye on went on sale. It’s a mantra-band style bracelet and the phrase on it represents a couple of my goals to me. Again, it’s just another little way to keep your goals in the forefront of your mind.

Read

Depending on what your goals are, certain books can lend to providing skills, steps, and wisdom to help keep you motivated and moving in the right direction. You are a Bad*ss by Jen Sincero is a popular one, and one that I’ve read. It’s all about getting in the right frame of mind to be able to accomplish anything you want.

Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis was another book I found to be motivating. I find Rachel’s story to be really inspiring. She also shares specific tips for achieving goals. You can read more of my thoughts on the book here.

100 Days to Brave by Annie F. Downs is one I’ve started working through. Each day has a task for you to work on related to creating more positivity and having courage to do what’s right for you. This one is a bit more on the religious side, just FYI.

I honestly find listening to audiobooks, especially when they are read by the author, to be even more inspiring. You can hear the passion in their voice! If you aren’t already using Audible (I love it!) you can get a month free trial with two free audiobooks! 

Music

I feel like everyone has those songs that if you’re feeling down or just kind of off, make you feel better by just hearing them. Make a playlist and have it available anytime you start to feel discouraged about your goals or need a little boost. Some of my songs include Bigger than my Body by John Mayer, Swim by Jack’s Mannequin, and The Middle by Jimmy Eat World.

Final thoughts

You know the saying “you can do anything you set your mind to”? I think this is so true with goals. If you set realistic goals that you can commit to, and keep yourself motivated, you will meet your goal! 

What are some of your goals for the year?