Setting Goals for the New Year: Better You Edition

Happy New Years Eve! We've made it to the end of 2017 and are about to ring in 2018! There is still time to come up with some goals for the upcoming year. Read on for 10 more resolutions you can make for a better you!

10 New Years Resolutions for a Better You

1. Create a budget. The new year is the perfect time for goals like this. Sit down, take a good look at your finances, and start creating your budget. This is a big task, so make sure you break down the steps needed to make it manageable by using SMART goals!

2. Take up meditation. Or any other self-care strategy. Creating goals that focus on self-care are so important for long-term happiness, longevity, and work performance. Need some ideas? Check this out.

3. Donate. Donating to a cause that's important to you is an excellent way to enhance your overall outlook on life, while making a difference in the world. Donating doesn't just mean giving money. It includes outreach, volunteering your time, donating goods, creating things with your hands, and advocating for others. Need more reasons to give back? Read this.

4. Create a cleaning schedule. Maybe this goal isn't necessary for some. Maybe you have an immaculate home and you are extremely organized. I commend you. I am not that person. This is one of my goals for the new year.

5. Spend more time with family. Who doesn't need this constant reminder? There is never enough hours in the day to connect with everyone. Make it priority (read: goal) to connect more with your family. Maybe it means having a weekly game night, or scheduling a night of no screentime. Maybe it means FaceTiming your mother once a week with the kids. Whatever it is, make it happen. You won't regret it.

6. Write thank you notes. Or letters. Or postcards. Whatever you do, bring back snail mail. Especially if you have grandparents or parents of a certain age. They will love this! Plus - who doesn't love getting mail? (when it's not bills)

7. Learn a new recipe. I love cooking. I love trying new spices and concotions to recreate my favorite recipes. But I don't try enough new ones, probably because I don't want to fail and have to order out. This year, make it goal to try out a new recipe. Maybe its a twist on an old favorite, or soemthing you've always wanted to try but don't have the courage. Whatever it is that's holding you back, push that aside to try something new. Just maybe have a backup plan just in case. (like the pizza delivery guy on speed dial)

8. Take a vacation/staycation. Everyone could use a vacation. Do we usually think we deserve it? No. Well, you do, and I'm here to give you permission to do so. If you can't afford a big vacation, or don't have enough time to spend 2 weeks by the beach, that's fine. Plan a weekend away or even a staycation. Whatever you can do, you should do. No one every regrets traveling, but people always regret not.

9. Create/join a club. The ones that come to mind are book clubs, but there are so many other groups out there you can join. I'm part of a crocheting group, there are board game groups, wine clubs, etc. My grandma is even a member of a car club. You can create your own or join an existing one. Don't know where to start? Check out Meetup for some awesome existing groups or start your own!

10. Find a new hobby. Along the same lines as above, except you can do this solo. Find something new to do in your free time that makes you happy. Some examples include coloring, cross stitch, baking, drawing, starting a collection, snow shoeing, wood working etc. My hobbies including crocheting, writing, and playing soccer. Think about things that you used to love as a kid that you don't make time for now, and bring that back! Check out adult education courses for some class and inspiration.

ABA at Play: tangibly-maintained behaviors, attention-maintained behaviors, escape-maintained behaviors, automatically-maintained behaviors, visual supports, antecedent manipulations, environmental accommodations, prompting, prioritizing behaviors, reinforcement, social skills, social validity, behavior repertoire, socially-significant behavior

I hope I've inspired you to starting writing down your goals for the new year! Have a magical New Years and an happy and healthy 2018!