Five On Friday: Steps to Fulfilling New Year's Resolutions

I noticed a few "not surprising" things happening on Facebook or Social Media in general this week...

The first  is that people are posting their New Year's Resolutions (Just like I did on Monday) and the second is that people are bashing New Year's Resolutions. Shock right? People being negative.

The second really made me think...are these resolutions pointless? The comments go something like this, "You should be a better person everyday not just at the start of the New Year.", or "It is just another day nothing will change." Well guys I didn't feel that way when I made my vow on Monday to change the things I hated about my life. Yes I should have done the things on my list long ago and yes Wednesday was just another day, but you have to start somewhere. If people need the motivation of a New Year to finally get healthy or pick up a hobby then more power to them! I have felt great and more motivated  than I ever have since the start of this "New Year." 

I would like to hope this motivation will last the entire year and I get everything on my list knocked out, but hey if I don't and I fall off the bandwagon a time or two at least I'm trying!

Now that I have broken my resolution to complain less let's get back to the regularly scheduled program...

Five on Friday: Fulfilling My New Year's Resolutions:

{all pictures via personal photos}

1. Step 1: 

Buy a planner and possibly cute pens (if you must like I did!)

It always helps me to write down what I need to get done each day so I know I am achieving the things I need to be achieving. No I didn't write down in my planner "Don't complain today!", but I did schedule out time to work out next week and my goals for each day to get done.

2. Step 2:  

This sounds crazy and simple, but actually do the things on your list each day. If you don't get to check off everything on your list for that day don't just give up rewrite it on another day until it get's done. 

Today my list included:

~Sending an email to a friend I've been meaning to send

~Cleaning my house

~Blogging

~Taking down my Christmas decorations 

~and laundry

I didn't get all my Christmas decorations down and put away so rather than getting frustrated I just moved it to both Saturday and Sunday when I know I have more time.

3. Step 3:

Set achievable goals. I've decided that on every Thursday when my schedule for the next week gets sent out that I would plan the following week according to which days I work more and which I work less. 

One of my resolutions was to have more drive. That is going to include finding a big girl job. Next week for example I set a number of jobs I want to apply to each day according to how many hours I worked that day. If I have off those are the days I plan on applying to the most jobs. Breaking it down this way will keep me on track and feeling like these are achievable resolutions.

Sorry this is sideways :/

Laziness.

4. Step 4:

Make sure you leave time for fun. Luckily for me one of my resolutions was to live a little, but if you didn't set that goal make sure you don't spend every second of your life getting healthy, being a better friend, and getting organized. Take some cheat days and relax for a minute. 

I am on track to starting a new life here in Kentucky with the boyfriend. Next Friday we have a triple dinner date planned and Saturday we are going to a Brad Paisley Concert with some friends from work! We are also talking about having a get together at our house with a fun theme every month (How fun right!).

5. Step 5:

Never give up! Even if you skip going to the gym for a month get back to it eventually. These resolutions are your 2014 resolutions not just January. I wrote motivational quotes throughout my planner so as I get to those pages if I have fallen off track they will remind me that I set those resolutions for a reason. 

Any tips for me to keep at my resolutions? How are you guys doing on yours?

This post was linked to the following lovely ladies! Please check them out! 

Angi