Each January we make resolutions in an effort to start off strong in the New Year. Whether it’s to go to the gym more or to try harder in class, we all strive to improve ourselves one way or another and with January 1^st comes a new beginning of sorts. It is the perfect opportunity to try to get our lives together. Here are a few tips to help you feel in control and motivated in 2016:

Clean your room. When it comes from our mothers, this is usually the last thing we want to hear or do. But having a room full of dirty clothes, empty water bottles, and other clutter will not help you to be your best in the New Year. So get rid of the junk. Throw out the garbage and make your bed. This spring winter cleaning will motivate you to organize other parts of your life as well!

Keep the goals reasonable. It’s so easy to immediately ready for the stars and tell yourself you will immediately transition into this perfect version of yourself. But in reality, changes take time, and often a few failures, to actually happen. If your resolution is to go to the gym more often, start off by trying for once or twice a week rather than every day. Don’t overwhelm yourself right away, or you’ll never reach your final destination.

Eliminate all kinds of distractions from your life. Whether it’s a relationship that’s taxing, a show that you’re only half into, or a bunch of junk emails that you receive every day and never open, get rid of it! Especially today, there are so many different apps and portals that are demanding our attention. It can be difficult to maintain focus on what we really want to achieve. So eliminate what you don’t want or need and you will be even more prepared to kick ass in 2016!