Setting your Resolutions and Mantra for 2021

As we begin the new year, many of us spend time setting goals, resolutions, intentions and mantras. But what exactly does it mean to set a mantra and make resolutions? And, how do we make ones that will set us up for success rather than failure?

I have always been the organized goal setter -- you know, the one who rings in the New Year with a brand new planner and pack of pens. I write out goals I’d like to accomplish throughout the year, habits I’d like to create, and choose a word that the year will center around.

While many of us do the same, it’s easy to fall off the wagon, skip the gym, cheat on the diet, etc. well before January 31st. So here are my top tips on how to pick a mantra and set New Year’s Resolutions for 2021 and how to keep them.

First things first, settle on a mantra. For me, I choose one word that I feel is necessary for growth for the stage I’m currently at in life. This year, my mantra is “go forth.” I chose “go forth” because, well for one, my last name is Goforth and my brand is Go Forth and Grow...and two, 2020 held a lot of trials that it is time to “go forth and grow” from.

Over 2020 I learned how you can be healing and thriving at the same time. This past year taught me to go forth during the hard times. To put one foot in front of the other and keep walking. To not give up. To live fully and to grow. To go forth and be my most authentic self. So as I enter 2021, my focus will be to go forth and grow from everything that 2020 brought.

As you set your mantra for 2021, and please feel free to use mine if you’d like. I want you to think about a word or phrase that seemed to appear lately. Whether that is radiance, positivity, the need for self care, grace, etc. make that your mantra or word for 2021. Write it down on paper and keep it somewhere you can see it.

Now as you set resolutions or goals, be realistic with yourself. I like to set my resolutions by dividing them up into categories -- i.e. health, career, finances, self care, and random. As I break down each category, I make one big goal and three smaller goals that’ll get me there.

For example, if I want to get start drinking a gallon of water each day I would make a gallon my big goal, then would say “January through March I will drink half a gallon of water each day,” “April through June I will drink between half a gallon and 96 ounces of water each day,” and “July through the end of the year I will drink a gallon each day.” This will set you up for a better success rate rather than trying to drink a gallon of water each day when you barely drink 2 cups.

Plan out all your categories with one big goal and a few smaller goals -- and remember to not set more than 10 resolutions because starting 10 new habits isn’t easy for anyone. If you can, I suggest breaking down your resolutions throughout the year or always start with small goals that can grow.

As you set your mantra and resolutions for 2021, keep in mind you are human and it is totally valid to slip up. Be kind to yourself if you skip the gym, only drink half of your water goal, fall back into an old habit, and so on. Each day is a new day and you can always start again. Just give yourself grace for how far you’ve come and go forth and conquer the year as best as you can with the purpose of living your very best life.