At the start of each year, I choose a word that I want to define it.

Last year that word was “Learn.”

I read 130 books covering dozens of different genres. I read over 50 blogs. I listened to hundreds of hours of podcasts. I spent every spare minute that I had learning. And learn I did.

It’s a new year so I have chosen a new theme: “work.”

I haven’t stopped reading entirely, but I have have slowed down dramatically. I’ve also changed the focus of my reading. Instead of reading a variety of books, I am focusing on business and self improvement. Whatever I read needs to provide actionable ideas that I can incorporate into my theme of “work.”

I like the idea of a theme rather than making resolutions. A theme can wrap around everything you do like a cozy blanket. You can incorporate it into your hobbies, your work, and your vacations.

Think of what you want your life to look like one year from now and choose a theme that will help you get there. Here are some ideas:

• Play
• Give
• Rest
• Health
• Relationships
• Travel
• Laugh
• Calm
• Simple
• Music

I’m sure there are many more words, but those can get you started. Wrapping a theme around your year can give you a wonderful sense of purpose and accomplishment. It’s much easier to make decisions because you constantly ask yourself if they fit within your theme.

Decide what you want life to look like. Choose your theme. And go live your best life!

Image: Caroline

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And you can. You absolutely can.

But not with resolutions.

When you make a resolution, you are making an absolute decision to do or not do something. You are making a vow to be perfect for the next 365 days. There is no room for error with resolutions. You either do it or you don’t. No mistakes allowed.

Don’t do that to yourself. The world isn’t black or white. It is gray…and red…and electric orange.

8,760

That’s how many hours you have this year to work with. Rather than making resolutions, set goals. Rather than vowing to do something, make a plan.

When you set a goal, you are saying that, by the end of the year you will accomplish something. Some days will be fantastic and some will be awful, but each day you will be making progress toward your goal.

Goals leave room for life to happen. If you have a rough week, it’s ok because you can make it up next week. If you are feeling motivated, you can make a big leap.

Resolutions are about perfection. Goals are about progress.

“Resolutions are about perfection. Goals are about progress.” (tweet this)

In the book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, habit two is “start with the end in mind.” First determine where you want to be in one year, then go backwards to determine how to get there. *

Last year I set a goal of reading 120 books. That was the endpoint. In order to accomplish that, I broke it down into achievable pieces:

120 books a year = 10 books a month = 2-3 books per week

Each week, I would make sure that I was reading 2-3 books and my goal was easily met.

You can achieve anything. You really can. Every day and every hour you are given is a chance to get closer to your dreams.

Use that time wisely, but don’t live in black and white. Set your goals and then see your life for what it really can be…in all its vivid color!

Image: Susana Fernandez

* This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. If you click on it, I will receive a small bit of income.

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