New Years is a great time for a fresh start and setting new goals. But knowing how to keep yourself motivated is a skill you can use year-round. So for those of you whose resolutions are already waning, try these tips to get re-energized and keep on truckin’.

• Remember what you’re working for. Remind yourself of all the good things to come once you reach your goals. Then visualize life beyond the finish line so you don’t lose steam and stop short.

• Prioritize. It’s easy to get overwhelmed if everything seems equally important. So make a list with highest priorities first. Then start working on #1 first and move down the list.

• Identify & eliminate the roadblocks. Ask yourself if an item on your list is really going to help you accomplish your main goals. If not, eliminate it completely. Or if there’s a task you don’t want to do that’s preventing you from moving forward on other items, do it first and get it over with. You’ll be done before you know it and it’ll clear the path to get on with the easy stuff.

• Make goals “bite size.” Break long term goals into smaller, more manageable phases.
  • Be realistic, and give yourself deadlines.
  • For small hands-on tasks, try setting a timer and stopping when it dings so you still get stuff accomplished but won’t burn out or dread it next time.
  • Pick a day and schedule it. Sometimes just knowing when you’ll work on something will keep the guilt at bay.
  • Just get started — tell yourself, “I’ll do one small thing and if I feel like it, I’ll keep going.”

• Do it with a friend. We call it “body doubling” when you get more done just because someone’s there with you. Recognize those times you need someone else around and ask for help.

• Ask someone who inspired you how they did it. Knowing you’re not alone and that what you’re aiming for can be done is very uplifting.

• Find rewards that work for you, then mix & match. Whether it’s allowing time for a hobby, a movie, an ice cream cone, or a walk, make a list of things you can do to celebrate each small success and mix them up so you don’t get bored.

• Track your progress. When you’re feeling particularly unmotivated, take a look back at how far you’ve already come and be proud of yourself for wanting to do something better for yourself.

• Tell someone what you’ve done. Sometimes we just need to hear someone else say “good job.” It’s ok to be proud of what you’re doing and ask for a pat on the back.

• Think positive & lose the excuses. You will get there. Rephrase negative thoughts to focus on how good you’ll feel when you finish.

• Know that this is only temporary. “This too shall pass” is my mom’s mantra in tough times, and she’s right. As usual.

• Ease up. You don’t get points for speed or being perfect, both of which are common paths to burn out. So allow yourself some wiggle room. The ebb & flow is a natural part of any personal growth process, so watch out for “all or nothing” thinking and put small setbacks in perspective. They don’t equal failure.

• Make it fun. Otherwise, what’s the point?