Frosina·3 min read

3 Simple Steps to Set New Goals This Fall

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

When I was little, I loved autumn because of two things: my birthday and the beginning of another school year.

My mom would take me shopping for new warmer clothes, books, backpack, and umbrellas. And when my birthday rolled around, she’d make me the most delicious coconut vanilla birthday cake! When I’d come home from school, my dad would make me hot cocoa with cinnamon cookies and I’d cuddle up in my room and read, or play with my brother.

As years passed, my love for the season grew with me.

Today, autumn to me is getting excited about roasted chestnuts, pumpkin pies and mulled wine. But it’s also a time for re-evaluation and setting new goals.

So today, I’m sharing 3 simple steps you can take to set (and accomplish) your goals this fall.

Turn over a new leaf

There’s nothing more beautiful than a fresh start. We get to reset our old ways of thinking and behaving, and choose new ones that’ll serve us better.

For instance, I’ve never been good with keeping my New Year resolutions. And with only 9% of people accomplishing theirs, it looks like I’m not alone.

Miraculously though, I’ve always followed up on my autumnal goals.

What I do is I get up early, stand on the balcony and watch the leaves fall. I breathe the crisp October air and let the morning sun warm up my face. Then, I sit down with a cup of tea, write in my gratitude journal and set the goals for the day ahead.

So I’d like you to try turning over a new leaf this fall.

Buy a pretty notebook and write down the ways you’d like to improve in the next 2-3 months. Start a new page for each week and outline the goals you’d like to achieve.

Then, add the ways you’ll reward yourself and how you’ll have fun.

For me, if I meet my weekly work quota, I treat myself to something nice like a new lipstick, a piece of cheesecake, tickets to a concert or a fancy dinner out.

And this system works, because not only you create new habits, but also reinforce them by congratulating yourself for a job well done.

Start small and grow from there

The main reason why so many people fail at New Year resolutions is because their goals are unrealistic.

Setting goals that are too far-flung leads to overwhelm and disappointment. And that’s where we give up.

So instead of planning the entire year in detail, set realistic tasks for the week ahead of you. Then, expand onto monthly and ultimately, seasonal goals.

You can easily do this at the beginning of every season. Once you’ve accomplished your fall goals, move on to the winter ones.You’ll notice they’re less scary and easier to tackle if you divide them first and then conquer them.

Take it easy

I used to feel incredibly guilty when it came to making time for myself. I confused it with being unproductive, so I spent any extra time catching up on work.

And if you’re anything like me, you know it just doesn’t work that way. No matter how passionate we are about something, we need to recharge and take it easy.

So I set an intention to make a plan for self-care and followed it to the T. Not only was I more productive, but also happier, more relaxed and more balanced.

I make sure to add at least one item on my daily to-do list that’s unrelated to work. For example, if I know I have a fully-booked week ahead of me, I’ll set a goal to take a long bubble bath or get a massage.

Another option is going for a long walk. Be mindful about your surroundings: the colors of the sky, the falling leaves, chilly air and the smell of your takeaway coffee.

Or, do some yoga and meditation. Read a book or your favorite magazine. Write down the things you’re grateful for today.