September is the month of resolutions par excellence . After the summer break, 90% of people start setting new goals: joining a gym, reading more books, or maybe starting a new work project.
These are often large, long-term ambitions, but what really allows us to feel good and achieve them? The answer lies in small daily or weekly habits, which can be an excellent starting point for supporting such important goals. It's precisely these habits that make us feel better and make life more serene and carefree. Taking time to do what we enjoy is essential for mental well-being and maintaining a high mood.
Here are some non-trivial ideas to implement for your goals
It happens to us all, like coming home, having dinner, and turning on the TV to unwind with a movie on Netflix. The truth is, however, that we often get overwhelmed by the thoughts accumulated during the day, and our moments of relaxation are inadvertently stifled by the stress and worries surrounding us.
It's not easy, but simply becoming aware of this dynamic is a good starting point. Often, we give excessive weight to secondary, easily eliminated issues that occupy our mental space without providing any benefit. Learning to recognize and let go of them frees up precious energy, which can be invested in healthier habits and truly important goals for our well-being.
A second piece of advice I can give you is to not start big right away. When it comes to ambitious and difficult-to-achieve goals, they require time, consistency, and a lot of motivation. Thinking you can achieve everything at once only risks leading to frustration and making you give up sooner than expected.
This is why it's much more helpful to break the journey down into small, concrete steps. Set yourself weekly microgoals that are easy to manage and monitor, allowing you to see consistent progress without feeling overwhelmed. For example, instead of aiming directly for "reading a book a month," set yourself the goal of reading 10 pages a day. Or, if your goal is to get back in shape, start with two workouts a week instead of immediately wanting to hit the gym every day .
Writing these micro-goals on your phone or in your planner is a very effective habit: it helps you keep them in mind, reminds you of your priorities, and feels a sense of satisfaction every time you check them off. This positive reinforcement fuels motivation and gives you the drive to tackle the next steps.
Surround yourself with the right environment!
Goals aren't achieved through willpower alone : a lot depends on your environment. If you want to read more, keep a book on your bedside table or in your backpack; if you want to eat healthily, stock your refrigerator with foods that make it easier for you to choose. Environment is more powerful than motivation, and structuring it well helps make good habits more automatic.
