How to Change Your Life in Just 1 Year

“Change is painful, but nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.” -Mandy Hale

Do you ever find yourself looking at the calendar, wondering where time went and if you're getting any closer to that dream life you think about? I understand. Life can be hectic and the idea of making changes can feel out of reach.

"The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward." -Steve Maraboli

My Personal Story

About a year ago, I made a big decision. I decided it was time to really start taking care of my health. You see, my diet wasn't necessarily unhealthy, but I soon realized that I knew absolutely nothing about gut health. And boy, was I paying for it. I was constantly in pain and feeling bloated all the time. It wasn't a fun way to live.

But it wasn't just my diet that needed work. I barely exercised, and I rarely got any sunlight. As a result, my energy levels were pretty much non-existent, and my motivation? Well, let's just say it wasn't at its peak either. I was stuck in a rut, and I had no idea how to get out of it.

That's when I stumbled upon something called the holistic lifestyle. I learned about things like mindfulness, clean eating, and connecting with nature. Suddenly, everything clicked. I realized that true health wasn't just about what I put in my body, but also how I treated it as a whole.

Fast forward to today, and I couldn't be more proud of myself. In just a year, I feel like I've been given a brand-new body. One that isn't constantly failing me and causing discomfort. It's amazing how something as simple as taking care of ourselves can make such a dramatic difference. And you know what? It's all because I took the time to create a healthier lifestyle for myself. It wasn't an overnight transformation, but every single step was worth it.

How to Make Continuous Improvements

Step 1 Establish Your Goal

To improve continuously and achieve success, it is crucial to have an unwavering desire for growth. When you genuinely want to improve, you ignite the fire within you to make your goals a reality.

When you’re getting started make sure to clearly define what you wish to accomplish. Take the time to articulate your objectives and write them down. This not only helps solidify your commitment but also serves as a constant reminder of what you are working towards.

Keep this written reminder visible to help you stay focused. It acts as a compass, steering you toward your desired destination, even in times of distraction.

Stay focused on your goals and avoid procrastination. To achieve success, you must be dedicated and persistent. It won't always be easy, but having a strong desire to improve will keep you motivated and determined.

Step 2 Create a Plan

Consistent improvement requires unwavering dedication and action on a daily basis. It is through this commitment that true progress is achieved.

To get better at anything, we need to break down our big goals into smaller, doable steps. By doing this, we can come up with a clear plan and take specific actions that will help us succeed. It's kind of like breaking a big project into smaller tasks to make it less overwhelming and easier to tackle.

Let's say we want to improve our heart health. That means we absolutely need to make cardio training a must-do every day. And if we want to get better at writing, we have to set aside time each day to actually write.

Your plan should be incredibly simple. What are the 2-3 daily actions that you need to take consistently to make real and significant progress in your chosen area? These actions should be straightforward and easy to do every day.

Step 3 Execute the Plan

These are two of my favorite ways to execute my goals:

The 80/20 rule

Imagine you're cleaning your room. You'll notice that you spend most of your time picking up just a few things, like clothes or books, while the rest of the stuff takes way less time. That's the 80/20 rule in action!

Basically, it says that roughly 80% of results come from 20% of the causes. In life, it means that a small portion of what you do brings in most of the rewards. For instance, in school, maybe 20% of your subjects are super important for your grades, while the rest don't count as much.

Knowing this rule helps you focus on the vital stuff that makes a big difference instead of spreading yourself too thin over everything. It's like finding the special few that matter most and giving them your best shot!

Time blocking

Imagine your day as a puzzle. Each task or activity gets its own puzzle piece, and time blocking is when you slot these pieces into specific time slots.

Think of it as making appointments with yourself for different things you need to do. Whether it's work, exercise, reading, or even relaxing, you assign each its own block of time on your calendar. This helps you focus on one thing at a time without getting distracted.

By organizing your day like this, you're setting boundaries for your time and ensuring you allocate it to what's important. It's a great way to stay organized, boost productivity, and make sure you don't forget or neglect any important tasks.

Step 4 Track and Adjust

Make sure to regularly check in on how you're doing. Whether it's every day, week, or month, depending on what you're trying to achieve. Look at the specific measurements you've chosen to see if you're heading in the right direction.

Keep an eye out for any obstacles or challenges that might be getting in the way of your progress. It's crucial to understand what's not working so you can make effective adjustments. If you realize you're falling short of your goals or facing unexpected challenges, don't be afraid to be flexible.

Try changing your strategies or tactics to overcome these obstacles. It might mean trying different methods, reallocating resources, or taking a different approach altogether.

Don't fear mistakes. View them as chances to grow. Reflect on what went wrong and use that knowledge to better your goals and plans. Make necessary changes and continue tracking your progress. This cycle of setting, tracking, adjusting, and learning from mistakes leads to constant improvement.

How To Stay On Track

One thing I've noticed during my own personal journey is that it can be really tough to see and feel like we're making progress at the moment. And this lack of visible progress is actually the main reason why we lose motivation, fall back into old habits, and feel like we're stuck.

When we're unable to see and feel the progress we're making, it's easy to fall into a negative cycle of thoughts. We might start doubting ourselves, thinking things like,

"I'm not making any progress at all. Why am I even trying? Maybe I'm just not smart or talented enough to make any real progress. Why am I wasting my time doing all these things every day if I'm not going to get anywhere? This is all pointless, I should just give up."

But here's the thing, this perspective is all about how we perceive our progress versus the reality of the situation. If we're consistently taking the right actions day in and day out, and making adjustments as needed, then we are definitely making progress in reality. It's just that sometimes it's really hard to see that progress on the surface.

Zoom Out

When we are constantly engrossed in our daily routines, it becomes effortless to lose sight of the bigger picture. Hence, why not attempt to zoom out for a while? Reflect upon the overall journey you have undertaken. Take a moment to recollect the ambitions you set for yourself and the milestones you have already triumphed over.

It's important to recognize how much progress you've made and let that realization inspire you again. This bigger picture will also help you decide if your initial goals still match who you are now and what you truly want.

To see things clearly and stay on track towards your goals, take a step back and look at the big picture. Adjust as needed to stay on the right path.

So, take a breath, distance yourself from the situation, and remind yourself of the significant progress you have achieved. Use this new way of looking at things to move yourself forward with great strength!

Micro Rewards

We all want instant gratification. It feels great when we finish something or reach a goal. But waiting for big goals to happen takes forever. That's where micro-rewards come in. They're small treats we give ourselves after we finish smaller steps towards our goals. They make us feel accomplished right away and keep us motivated.

Long-term goals can be overwhelming. They have obstacles, setbacks, and doubts. But micro-rewards help us in those tough moments. They give us small bursts of motivation and remind us why we started.

Consistency is important for long-term success. It's about forming good habits and sticking to them. Micro-rewards play a role here. They give us a boost by celebrating our daily progress. Finishing a task makes us feel fulfilled and happy. This keeps us motivated and helps us stay committed to our goals.

Having a clear purpose and a reason to take action also improves our productivity. Micro-rewards serve this purpose perfectly. The anticipation of getting a small treat after completing a task is a strong motivator. It pushes us to not only meet our goals but exceed them.

With micro-rewards as catalysts, our productivity soars, leading to greater long-term success. So, when you struggle to stay motivated or feel overwhelmed by your goals, remember the power of micro-rewards. Break it down, celebrate small steps, and see your sense of accomplishment and productivity rise. Trust me, it's worth it.

"Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change." -Wayne W. Dyer

Final Thoughts

By using the strategies mentioned earlier, you will start improving continuously and stay on track despite the challenges you face.

Don't postpone taking action until the arrival of the upcoming calendar year. While January 1 may be considered the prime moment to initiate something new, the next optimal opportunity is the present day.

Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!

-What are your goals for the coming year?

-What improvements do you want to make in your life and how will they make you feel better?

Take care,

-Emilia ♡