Don’t wait for the New year, start now!
Starting your January goals in December can be a powerful strategy to set yourself up for success. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Early Momentum
Avoid the "New Year, New Me" Trap: Waiting until January can lead to procrastination. Starting in December allows you to build momentum and avoid the feeling that you're starting from scratch. You’re ahead of the game, giving you a sense of accomplishment that boosts your motivation for the new year.
Beat the Post-Holiday Slump: After the holiday season, people often feel sluggish or lack motivation. If you start your goals early, you’ll avoid the typical “January burnout” that many people experience when trying to jump into their resolutions too quickly.
2. Less Pressure
Low-Stress Time to Experiment: December can be a quieter month in many ways, with fewer obligations and responsibilities. This offers you a low-pressure environment to experiment with new routines or habits without the intense focus on “new year, new goals.”
Build Habits Gradually: Instead of expecting dramatic changes right away, you can start small and ease into your goals. By January, the new habits will already feel more integrated into your routine.
3. Reflection and Clarity
Reflect on the Past Year: December is a great time to assess what worked and what didn’t in the past year. You can use this time to evaluate your goals and adjust your plans for the upcoming year based on what you’ve learned.
Strategize for the Future: Starting early gives you more time to plan and set thoughtful, realistic goals. You have the opportunity to fine-tune your action steps and anticipate potential obstacles so you can hit the ground running in January.
4. Avoid Overwhelm
Ease Into New Routines: Starting your goals in December allows you to transition into new habits without the overwhelming rush that often comes with starting everything at once in January. This way, when the new year starts, you’re already in a good rhythm and ready to scale up your efforts.
Build a Foundation: December can be a great time to set the groundwork for bigger changes you want to make. You can set small, manageable goals that build on each other, so when the new year hits, you're already well on your way.
5. Psychological Advantage
Positive Reinforcement: By the time January rolls around, you'll have already achieved some progress, which will reinforce your belief that your goals are attainable. This sense of accomplishment can make it easier to stay committed throughout the year.
Shift Your Mindset Early: Starting in December helps you transition your mindset from "holiday mode" to "goal mode." By the time January hits, the mental shift won’t feel as abrupt, and you’ll be in a better position to maintain focus.
6. Realistic Start
Work Around the Holidays: If you're aiming to make lifestyle changes or develop new habits, it can be helpful to start when you’re already thinking about how to navigate the holidays. If you're going to start exercising more or cutting back on sugar, for example, it’s good to practice during December, when the holiday temptations and events are present, so you can learn how to handle them.
Focus on Smaller Wins: December often comes with holidays, travel, or social events that can make goal-setting feel more challenging. But that’s exactly why it’s the perfect time to focus on smaller wins, like carving out 10 minutes for reflection each day or choosing one specific area to improve. When January arrives, you’ll be ready for more ambitious goals.
7. Extra Time for Fine-Tuning
Adjust Goals to Fit Your Reality: Starting your goals in December allows you to evaluate what’s realistic and tweak your plans as necessary. If you aim to change too many things at once in January, you might end up overwhelmed or discouraged. Giving yourself December to test out what’s truly doable ensures your goals for the new year are practical and achievable.
Set SMART Goals: The end of the year is a great time for self-assessment. If you start now, you have time to refine your goals to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART).
8. Improved Accountability
Set Clear Intentions Early: By starting in December, you’re already in the habit of setting goals and tracking progress. This gives you a head start on building accountability, whether you track progress alone, share your journey with others, or use tools and apps to monitor results.
Join a Goal-Setting Community: Starting early also allows you to join goal-setting groups or communities (whether online or in person) before the new year rush. This can help you build connections and stay inspired throughout your goal journey.
Conclusion
Starting your January goals in December offers a head start, reducing the pressure and allowing you to build momentum, refine your plans, and set realistic expectations. By setting small, intentional goals in December, you can enter the new year already on track, which makes it much easier to stick with your resolutions in the long run.
