Why Wait for January: 5 Small Things You Can Do This Month to Get Ahead

Read time: 5 minutes

“I’ll start it in January.” It’s a phrase we tell ourselves every year and usually mean it. Everyone else sets New Year’s resolutions, so it makes sense.    

What we’re really doing is putting a lot of pressure on ourselves one day of the year to do things we weren’t willing to do the rest of the year before.    

So often, reality hits a few weeks later, and we’ve disappointed ourselves. It doesn’t mean we’ve failed. What this shows is that we can do things with all the good intentions in the world, but we need more than intention to follow through.    

We need a better way to avoid the “New Year, New Me” trap and build the skill of doing things now… Not tomorrow, not next week. Trust us, this skill can be developed. With the right mindset, you can achieve your goals.     

In this article, we’ll talk about five small things you can do now to get started on your goals. By doing these five small things in December, you aren’t starting from zero when January arrives; you’ll be ahead of the New Year’s goal rush.    

1. Clear Your Digital Distractions

If you’re like most people, your mobile phone offers endless entertainment possibilities. At the same time, it provides endless distractions.   

A simple thing you can do to reduce distractions is to turn off notifications and spend a few minutes unfollowing accounts that distract you or drain your energy.  These small adjustments can make a big difference in how you feel about yourself and, more importantly, keep you focused on what matters.

2. Remove Minor Obstacles

Obstacles to your goals come in many different forms. Like goalies on the field, they stand to block you from your goals. Most of the time, these are small things that make it a little harder to accomplish your goals. Don’t let small friction points keep you from your goals.   

Here are some examples of simple barriers that can get in the way of your goals and what you can do about them:  

Goal	Problem	Solution
Work out consistently	I’m too tired to get up super early and get dressed	Get your workout clothes ready the night before so they’re ready to go in the morning. Reward yourself every time you go.
Focus more on school work	I have too many things going on to focus	Schedule a time block for school work on your calendar, even 1 hour twice a week makes a difference.
Take more walks	It’s too hot and my feet always hurt	Wake before it heats up and wear good walking shoes. When your feet don’t hurt, you’ll be more motivated to walk.
Study more	I have a bad Wi-Fi signal	Find a coffee shop, restaurant, or library. Most of these places have good Wi-Fi you can use.
Finish my diploma	It seems like a lot of work	Take 1 step at a time. Fill out the contact form and order your high school transcript. Every step you take makes it easier.

Every goal brings challenges with it (if it were easy, we’d already have done it). Remember that despite the challenges, a solution is always available! Build a mindset of overcoming minor difficulties, and you will progress toward your goals.

3. Reduce the Unknowns

Many times, just getting more information alleviates the fear of starting something new. For example, some teens who want to return to school don’t because they don’t know what programs will work for them and their situation.

In cases like this, the solution is simple: fill out the form and find out! You can also talk to others who have been in the same situation or do research online.

The more you know, the more confidence you have about going in a particular direction. Do a little research and remove the fear of the unknown.

4. Fix Your Sleep 

Sometimes we have trouble making decisions or focusing on what’s important because we’re sleep-deprived. Dropping out or having an inconsistent routine often leads to an erratic sleep schedule. A lack of consistent sleep can create brain fog and make everything feel like climbing uphill. This lack of energy will make life changes seem impossible.   

Following a regular bedtime routine helps your body’s circadian rhythm. You’ll feel more rested and energized when you get regular, or even a little more, sleep. Small shifts in your energy can make tasks, like studying, easier.

5. Learn Your “Why”  

Going after a goal that someone else gave you rarely lasts. We’re unlikely to be passionate about a goal someone, like a parent, gave us, and we certainly won’t put in any extra effort to reach it. When a goal is our own, and it’s something we want for ourselves, we’re more likely to put in the extra effort to make it happen.

To figure out your why, think of a goal you have and then think about the reason why you want it. Your goal is to get a better job. Ask yourself, “Why do I want a better job?” The reasons are likely things like “I want to afford a new car,” “I need to save for a computer,” or “I want to help my family.” The reasons you come up with are your “why.”

Take note of your “why.” Write it on your mirror, save it on your phone, and make it visible every day. The more often you remember your why, the more likely you are to work hard on your goal and keep your passion going. When things get tough, this will keep you going.  

Start Now and You’re Already Ahead  

If you do even two of these things, you’re already ahead. The reality is that January 1st is just another day on the calendar. There’s nothing really special or magical about it.   

Today, however, can be the day that you decide you are worth the effort. Today is the date that you can start again. You can make your own goals come true.