New Year, Who Dis? Riding the 'Back-to-School' Wave for Grown-Up Goals

Hey there, Utah goal-getters! There's something in the air, isn't there? As yellow buses start rolling and fresh school supplies line the shelves, even us grown-ups can feel that "back-to-school" energy. It's like January 1st, but with better weather and no holiday hangover.

In our achievement-oriented Utah culture, it's tempting to dive headfirst into a pile of new goals. But before you go buying out the planner section at Deseret Book, let's talk about how to set meaningful goals that align with your values and don't leave you burning out faster than a jack-o'-lantern in November.

10 Ways to Set Mindful Autumn Goals

1. Reflect Before You Project Take stock of where you are before deciding where to go.

Try this: Spend an afternoon at a peaceful spot like Memory Grove Park. Reflect on what's working in your life, what's not, and what you'd like to change.

1. Align with Your Values Make sure your goals resonate with what truly matters to you.

Try this: Write down your top 5 values. Then, for each goal you're considering, ask yourself: "Does this align with my values?"

1. Set Intentions, Not Just Outcomes Focus on how you want to feel, not just what you want to achieve.

Try this: Instead of "lose 10 pounds," try "feel energized and confident in my body." This allows for a more holistic approach to your goal.

1. Make it Manageable Break big goals into smaller, achievable steps.

Try this: If your goal is to hike all of Utah's "Mighty 5" National Parks, start with planning a day trip to Arches. Small wins build momentum.

1. Create a Visual Reminder Keep your goals front and center.

Try this: Create a vision board for your autumn goals. Include images, quotes, and small mementos that represent what you're working towards.

1. Build in Accountability Share your goals with someone who will support and encourage you.

Try this: Find a goal buddy. Meet up for coffee at Publik once a month to check in on your progress and offer mutual support.

1. Practice Self-Compassion Remember, progress isn't always linear.

Try this: Write yourself a compassionate letter to read when you face setbacks. Remind yourself that stumbles are part of the journey.

1. Celebrate Small Wins Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small.

Try this: Keep a "wins jar." Write down your achievements, big and small, and add them to the jar. Read through them when you need a motivation boost.

1. Schedule Regular Check-Ins Regularly assess and adjust your goals as needed.

Try this: Set a monthly "goal review" date with yourself. Maybe the first Sunday of each month, you head to your favorite coffee shop (we love La Barba) for a goal check-in session.

1. Balance Ambition with Self-Care Remember, your worth isn't determined by your achievements.

Try this: For every goal you set, also plan a self-care activity. If you're aiming to start a new project at work, also commit to a weekly relaxation practice, like a gentle yoga class at Centered City Yoga.

Remember, the aim isn't to transform your entire life overnight. It's about making meaningful progress in areas that matter to you. And hey, if your goal is simply to make it to the end of the year with your sanity intact, that's valid too!

[Call to Action: Want to dive deeper into mindful goal-setting? Let's chat about it. Schedule a session and we'll work on creating autumn goals that align with your values and support your overall well-being.]