The new year has begun and hopefully yours is off to a good start.

A new year can offer so much hope and anticipation as you create new goals and the world seems to collectively hit the reset button.

Unfortunately, a new year can also bring a great deal of stress, full of monumental goals, unrealistic expectations and self-imposed pressure.

So let’s explore how you can avoid the stress and experience a calmer new year.

If your new year is beginning to feel like the previous ones and instead of hope, you feel helpless, instead of calm, your days have been chaotic and where there could be peace, there’s a sense of panic, you can regain control.

Begin by identifying one to three major goals you’d like to accomplish this year. Write them down using as much detail as possible, because the more specific you are about your goals, the clearer the path becomes to achieving them.

Next, determine two to three realistic steps that you can take to make each goal happen and choose a date for when you want to have each action step and goal accomplished.

You can attach a personal reward to each goal as an incentive to getting them done. What that reward looks like is completely up to you and your preferences, but it should be something that truly matters to you and will help you celebrate what you’re accomplishing.

Continuously checking in with yourself, getting an accountability partner and regularly taking action will ensure that you stay on track and achieve your goals.

This type of plan, that helps you show up for yourself in a practical way, gives you clarity about the direction you’re headed in and the person you’re becoming and moves you closer to your goals is a mindful way for a calmer new year.

So tell me, how’s your new year so far? And, if you’re willing to share, tell me one of your goals for this year in the comments below.