I don’t believe you have to wait until January 1st to set some goals or intentions but I do love the undeniable magic of a new year. For me, I really do enjoy the yearly ritual of reflecting mixed with the feeling of a fresh start.
Obviously, I know that nothing has changed this week except for the final digit of the year. But I know I could also use a spark of magic and excitement after the year we just had.
So… while you certainly don’t have to wait until a new year to set some goals (or feel pressured to have them all figured out!) I personally have been enjoying getting swept up in the magic of the new year.
In addition to choosing a focus word/theme, I also always like to take the time to sit down and set a few intentions and goals for the year as well. Last year I wasn’t feeling very compelled to set any goals, but this year I’m feeling a little bit of both. I look at intentions as more of an “essence” and rule of thumb rather than something super specific, whereas a goal is something I can check off a list as DONE.
My Intentions for 2021:
Show up for yourself!
I had a realization recently: I’m really good at showing up when others are holding me accountable. But I suck at showing up for myself.
Example: I am very lucky to get free Zoom workout classes from the studio I teach barre at. If I sign up for a class I’ll show up, but it’s almost to prove myself to the instructor rather than showing up for me. There’s nothing wrong with this, but I realized I’m not very good at showing up for myself. It’s as though I don’t believe I’m worth showing up for, and I need someone else to hold me accountable to actually do it.
This is something I want to actively work on — show up for YOU. Not just because you’re reverting back to being a teacher’s pet.
Own your worth (and ask for it!)
Both as a content creator and instructor I often times get asked to do things for free or below my rate. I’ll feel guilty or like a bitch for asking for what I know I’m worth or refusing to work for “exposure.”
Don’t get me wrong, there are exceptions:
- when you’re just getting started and want to gain experience
- when it supports a worthy cause
- when it’s freaking Oprah and that’s a lot of exposure (although I’d imagine Oprah would pay 😂)
But otherwise? I’ve learned the hard way that working for exposure is truly just working for free. In 2021 there is no shame in owning my worth and asking for it.
What I I Fail? NO! What if I Succeed
This year I want to work on flipping the script in my brain. So often I automatically start thinking about all the ways I can fail. But instead, I want to shift to asking myself: what if I succeed.
Be a leader
In 2021 I want to more confidently own my power as a leader — in fitness, in social media, and really just as a human.
As a theater major in college, I was required to taking a directing class in my freshman year. I hated it. Every week I’d be on the verge of a meltdown leading up to rehearsals for my scene. I hated the pressure of having to lead the room and honestly just saw myself as an actor and wanted to be told what to do.
Flash forward to now, I’m interested in stepping up my leadership game. I’m not exactly sure how, but even just owning my knowledge. Despite bumping up against imposter syndrome daily, I know that I know a thing or two about yoga and social media. It’s time to step into my power and share that knowledge with others.
Build community
I’ve been thinking a lot about community, especially during this weird, isolating, time. I’m so grateful for the community I’ve already built through all things blogging and social media, but in 2021 I want to take that one step further. Maybe that’s a book club. Maybe more Zoom workouts or meet-ups of sort? And maybe it’s getting back into podcasting? I don’t know. But whatever it is, I have a feeling community is going to be at the center of whatever it is I do this year.
Invest in yourself
I’m always really hesitant to invest in myself. Dropping money to better yourself is SCARY! I’ll talk about this more below, but I’ve been thinking about a few ways to invest in myself in the new year.
Just. Be. Kayla
At my ripe old age of 30, I’ve come to the realization that there are certain things I will never be.
I’ll probably never been “cool” or “trendy” or one of those influencers constantly putting themselves out there in a sports bra and a cute matchy matchy outfit. I’ll probably never deeply give a shit about crystals, collagen, or infrared saunas even though I call myself a wellness blogger.
That’s just not me.
I’m a bit weird. I’m awkward. And I’m definitely not cool.
But I keep finding over and over again that when I just lean into who I authentically am, that’s where the real magic happens. So fuck trying to be all these things I think I’m supposed to be. And just be your weirdass self, Kayla.
Give yourself grace
It’s *still* a pandemic. Give yourself grace if you’re not feeling like your shiniest, sparkliest, more productive self.
My (sort of) Goals:
I’ll be honest — I’m not deadset on any of these goals. Like… I wouldn’t be devasted if none of them happen nor would I feel like a failure. BUT these are a few things I want to put out into the universe. If it works out, great. If not, it wasn’t meant to be.
start my 300-hour yoga teacher training
I’d love to look into starting my 300-hour yoga teacher training. It’s kind of like a “continuing ed” course for current yoga teachers.
It’s not totally necessary, nor would it raise my pay as a yoga teacher, to my knowledge, but I’ve been craving MORE lately. How can I be an even better yoga teacher?
get re-certified as a personal trainer
I became a NASM certified personal trainer in 2012. At the time I was actively working as a personal trainer, but when it came time to recertify I was no longer working in fitness. It made no sense to me to spend more money recertifying than I would in theory make from keeping the certification, so I let it lapse.
I don’t *need* a personal training certification for what I currently do, just my 200-hour yoga teacher training, and Bar Method has its own training program, so it hasn’t been necessary. But lately, I’ve been thinking about getting back into personal training to some extent.
I’m nervous to even say all this — it may or may not happen.
work with a business coach
I’ve been feeling a bit lost about where to go from here. Do I lean in harder to blogging and Instagram? Writing? Being a social media strategist? Or maybe go all in for the fitness + yoga world? Wahhh, I don’t know! The joys of being multi-passionate. And sometimes I fear my bopping around to various things comes off as me being flaky.
It might be time for me to start working with a business coach to help me hone in on what it is that I should lean into, and help me build things out from there.
read 52 books
Decided to stick with my same reading goal from last year. A book a week!
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Your Turn: Have you set any goals or intentions for this year?
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