By Maddie Rodriguez

Your Best Year Yet.

We made it. It is officially 2018, the holidays are over, school is in session and everyone is back to work. That means it’s the perfect time to take stock of our New Year’s resolutions. How do you feel about this year’s goals? Are you still on-track and inspired?

It’s okay if the answer to that last question is a resounding “um, maybe?” or “actually, no.” Sometimes the New Year rolls around and there is internal pressure to make a resolution, any resolution, even if it isn’t quite the one you need. But the best way to ensure that you’re inspired by your goals and ready to see them through is to make sure you’ve set the right goals in the first place.

I’m a word person, so whenever I am confused or in doubt, I sit for a minute and think about the words we choose to express ourselves. In this case, I thought about the word resolution. After all, it isn’t a New Year’s obligation or a New Year’s contract or even a New Year’s commitment. The meanings are slightly (but essentially) different. Resolution has connotations like steadfast, determined and stalwart; it implies a certain level of passion.

And when you think about it, this makes sense. It’s easier to stay committed to your goals if you feel genuinely passionate about meeting them. So if you’re worried about keeping your New Year’s resolution, reassess your goal to make sure it’s something you’re truly passionate about achieving. If your resolutions are to make more pragmatic (but still necessary) changes, try to tie them to something that does spark a flame. If your resolution is, for example, to nourish your body and your budget by making your own lunches, resolve to nourish your creativity by spending the money you save on your hobby.

Having meaningful goals that you want to keep is the best way to stay inspired and on-track for your best year yet. Happy 2018, everyone!