Welcome 2019 & My Thoughts on Goals & Expectations

   If you're anything like me you have set goals for the New Year. I don't really like to call those goals "resolutions" because well, who actually sticks to those? Also if you're anything like me, those goals might be setting the bar really high. This post is a how-to make those goals achievable once you realize that they are a tall order. I don't know about you, but right now I feel like a goal crushing-boss babe-super mom on a mission to stick to my goals. However, I know that by the end of the month I will most likely be off of this high horse... just being honest. It wont be because I give up or "throw in the towel". It will be from pure and absolute exhaustion. Who the heck can realistically do everything all the time? Not me, that's for sure, but I truly wish I could.
   One of those goals that I've set for myself is to find a monthly Mantra and try to keep it in mind all month long. For the month of January I found "You can do anything, but not everything" -credit unknown. At the end of this month when those big goals are in the distance remember that we can't do everything. This will be the perfect time to remind ourselves that we can do anything. Reevaluate those goals, set fourth realistic expectations and make a plan using baby steps. For me, that 40 minute workout will probably turn into 15, the laundry will in fact start to pile up, my organized office will turn back into a semi-organized beautiful mess and I will definitely be eating tacos and mac & cheese. I'm not planning on failing here, I'm just being realistic. Things happen, life gets messy and I get really, really tired. It's okay that we don't live up to those really high expectations that we set for ourselves. Growing up, my parents would always remind me that "Rome was not built in a day". It's alright to take a step back, stumble and fall or totally crash and burn as long as we get back up, look at our goals and realize that even baby steps are progress. Find little ways each day to work towards those goals and know that it's okay that you haven't achieved  them yet.
   Part of my realization of realistic expectations comes from a piece of advice that I was given last fall. A very wise women said to me "Don't expect to be good at everything, everyday". She further explained that balancing work, family, a household, etc is a challenge and if everyday you feel accomplished in just one of these areas, count it as a win. This is quite honestly some of the best advise I have ever been given. Part of the reason that it meant so much to me was because this women has achieved the long-term goals that I have set for myself. She has made a huge impact on the world, has several successful businesses and a very beautiful family. To hear this from someone that has reached that point in her life made me realize that we all struggle with this. Here I was thinking that I was a "bad mom" or "bad wife" because I couldn't equally balance work, motherhood, a household and being a wife with complete composure. I was totally wrong and the reality of it is that nobody can  "be good at everything, everyday".
   I guess what I'm trying to conclude here is that even if we set unrealistic expectations, resolutions or goals that seem to be a complete failure by the end of the month, we can still win. If you find yourself realizing that your goals may have been a bit much for right now, just reevaluate and take baby steps. Appreciate the little wins and know that they lead to the big ones. I can't promise that it will be an amazing year, but I can promise that it will be what we make it. Happy New Year!

  

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