This year it’s going to be different. Instead of overwhelming yourself with a list and the inevitable let down, we’re going to provide you some tips on how to make things happen. We know it’s the dead of winter but so what. Let’s get it done and do it with purpose.

1. Set Goals - To get started off the runway, it’s best to lay out some goals. Have one or two major goals before tacking on more, so you don’t drown from the very beginning. Goals will give you an idea where you’re headed, giving yourself something to look forward to and reach a conclusion. If these goals seem insurmountable, break down each goal into mini goals, focusing on the smaller steps and not the big picture, simplifying your approach.

2. Prepare for Setbacks - At the beginning of your journey, you’ll naturally be excited, enthused and motivated. Eventually, this will fade due to repetition and hard work. If you prepare yourself mentally for this let down, you will then be able to persist through it. You know it’s going to happen, so when it does, you won’t lay down but fight through it, making yourself stronger, building your confidence.

3. Lay the Foundation First - When you first approach your plan and establish your goals, the next step is to use your new found enthusiasm. Funnel it into the hard work that has to be done, such as planning, organizing, details, etc. Doing the dirty work now while your motivated will make it easier to do everything else that follows, especially when you run into obstacles. So lay down the foundation first while you’re highly motivated at the beginning.

4. Track Your Progress – It’s important to see how far you’ve come after a few weeks or months. You maybe surprised how much you’ve gotten done with your steady effort and can re-assess where you can use improvement or maintain your pace. Checking on progress will help your motivation, making yourself work harder or ease off the pedal, depending on your situation. Also, it’ll help you maintain your focus and avoid losing interest.

5. Reward Yourself – It may seem like a never ending battle when marching towards your goal. It takes time, persistence and discipline. As you steadily build towards your goal, it’s important to step back and reward yourself. It’s a way of thanking yourself for making a continuous effort, regardless if your results were successful, but for making an honest effort. Reward yourself and then step back into it.

6. Publicly State Your Goals - Announcing your goals to your friends and family will help motivate you to stay on course. No one wants to fail publicly, a weakness of our ego, so use it to your advantage. State your goals but also share your progress and results. The social pressure may not be for everyone, but it’ll be a great motivator to show everyone what your made of. Also, they’ll help you along, keeping you on track.

7. Take a Break – It’s natural after some point to get frustrated with your progress or the repetition of the work. Whatever the reason, take a break from your goal and focus on something else for a little bit or do something fun, giving yourself time to mentally recharge yourself. Clear your perspective so you can start up again with a renewed sense of purpose.

8. Friends for Motivation - It never hurts to reach out to friends for some motivation and give you a push towards your goal. This doesn’t have to be an isolated experience but something you can share. You’ll be surprised at the mental boost friends can provide by giving you a fresh perspective. Maybe a few of them have gone through something similar and can provide you some guidance.

9. Journal or Blog - Writing down your efforts during the good days and bad will help you keep your focus and motivation. It’s especially important to note your successes and failures, helping you vent as well. When you’re feeling down, you can look back on your positive experiences for motivation. If you’re stuck on something, you can look back and see what you did to overcome it.

10. Habits vs Lifestyle - The purpose of self improvement goals is to change bad habits. Eventually, you want to have improved habits, but also incorporate these new habits into your lifestyle. It should feel natural for you, to want to go to the gym for a workout, to write for an hour on your blog or study for that exam. These new habits should now be part of your everyday lifestyle, no longer a work in progress, but a part of your personality.

With the New Year upon us and many ready to make that big change, we thought it would be helpful to provide some guidance on how to stay on track. We usually focus on men’s lifestyle trends and style but this time, it felt right to give you something more. So after this New Year passes, don’t drop the ball, but hit the ground running.

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