“New year, new you!!!!”

“This can be YOUR year!!”

You’ve heard all the platitudes, you’ve seen the trends that come and go, and it’s really easy to get sucked into doing things just because everyone else is doing them.

Sometimes it works. You get a new idea, strategy, or method from a mentor or colleague, or you see something cool on social media and it just happens to be a great fit for your business or your life. Other times you might try on a trend and find that it simply doesn’t work for you.

This year, instead of jumping on whatever bandwagon happens to be passing by, I’ve got a better idea; Do what’s right for YOU.

I know, it’s not exactly groundbreaking, but it’s also not as easy as it seems!

 When we see everyone around us following a particular school of thought, or the new success method of the week, we’re naturally inclined to follow the crowd. But what works for your colleague might not work for you, and that’s totally okay!!

Here are some ideas for setting goals and intentions that support your work style and your lifestyle:

• Determine what keeps you motivated, focused, and inspired

What do you want to achieve this year? It can be a monetary goal, but remember, money isn’t the only thing that matters! Figure out how you want to spend your time and ask yourself what will make you excited to get up in the morning. When you can pinpoint those things, you’re well on your way to setting goals that benefit both your business and your lifestyle.

• Don’t set year-long goals

Sure, you can set an overall goal for the year, but don’t stop there! Supplement with a series of short-term goals that lead you to your big goal. This gives you a sense of success along the way that motivates you to keep moving forward, but it also gives you the opportunity course correct as needed as you travel toward your ultimate goal.

• Set your intentions

Intentions are different than goals. Goals are very specific, and they’re accompanied by an action plan that maps out the steps to make it happen. Intentions are things you would like to do. Intentions could include things like, “I want to be more adventurous and take more risks.” Or, “I want to be more patient and engaged with my family.”

You don’t have to map out the steps to get there like you would a goal, but it does help to create reminders. I like to do that by choosing a word of the year that represents my intentions. So, pick your word! Maybe it’s “fun,” or “freedom,” or “BOLD!” Once you’ve chosen your word, post it around your home and office for a visual reminder of what you’re working towards all year long!

For more tips on setting goals and intentions that work for YOU, check out this episode of Building Your Empire with SophieZo and don’t forget to subscribe!