How to Make 2017 Your Best Year Yet

All right, let’s be honest. Every year is going to be your year is something you’ve said every year since your 20s. Maybe it actually has been your year, because after all, it is your life, so yes in fact, it is and will be your year again. But what does making it “become your year” actually entail? Is it a goal setting thing? Is it about following through? Is it about making actual plans? What is it?

Well, there are a few ways to look at this. And to be honest, it wasn’t until I wrote and published an actual book that I really figured out how to make a year “my year.”

Let’s start with your goals and your dreams as a person. A good way to visualize this is to write down your aspirations on a Post-It and put them on your bathroom mirror so you can see them every day. As you accomplish them, remove the Post-It and replace it with a new one so you can keep moving forward on your goals. It’s also good to take actionable steps to achieve your goals. For example, if your objective is to get a better job that pays more and is more fulfilling, you’ll want to take actions such as refreshing your LinkedIn account, asking friends for any leads and making sure your resume is up to date.

Eating healthier is another popular New Year’s goal. Stick to it this time, and remember to give yourself a reasonable cheat day. Allow that one day to indulge in a small serving of that ice cream, or your favorite half of something. Cutting out something you love completely leads to binging, so be kind, and do half serving once a week. Add cardio and strength training into your life, too. Walk more, lift some heavier weights, drink more water, and in general, just kick some more ass this year. See you in 2017!

Stacey Griffith is a senior master instructor at SoulCycle and the author of the upcoming book Two Turns From Zero. Stacey’s motivational coaching style combines a passion for dance, athleticism and mind-blowing music—all set to the beat of her voice. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.