We often like to think of the start of a new year as a chance to reflect on our goals and plans. Whether we are returning to school, jobs, or any other routine, we are bound to want to make some changes. When you're a visionary, you want to aim high and have projects and personal challenges to take on swirling around in your head. However, when you're an overanalytical perfectionist, those swirling goals and plans for change can feel like a daunting tornado. Have you ever found yourself not taking on tasks and challenges because you overthink it all? I've definitely been there, but tomorrow is not guaranteed and it's important now more than ever to get stuff done. Here are some tips on how to start moving forward in 2017.

1. Organize and plan.

Part of your fear to take on a task may come from not knowing how to approach some venture or project. Take some time to come up with a game plan! See what you need to reach your goal, and brainstorm a schedule to keep to it. Planning and scheduling a regimen ahead of time can help you to feel more in control and separate your tasks into reasonable chunks and short-term goals.

2. Be forgiving and persevere.

A symptom of being a perfectionist is constantly being too hard on yourself. It is good to hold yourself to high standards and to strive for greatness, but there is a fine line between giving yourself a motivational boost and giving yourself a mental fear-driven barrier. When approaching your tasks in 2017 and working towards your goals, be aware and open to the ideas of failures and accidents. Consistency will be key; pick yourself up and try, try again! No true masterpiece is done on the first try.

3. Take ownership of the process.

Another reason you might find yourself unable to stick to a new routine or approach a goal is because you are using a general set of standards that doesn't fit your needs and the context of your life. Each new journey you take with a new project or routine is individual and unique, and you need to take your needs, desires, and limitations into consideration if you want to get anywhere. If that means you take on smaller chunks or go at a slower pace than maybe one of your friends is, that's okay! You have to find a method and process that can get you to where you want to be without making the journey terrible. Take breaks, reward yourself, make adjustments and exceptions... Do what you need to make it worthwhile.

4. Goals aren't eternal.

You are going to make plans and goals throughout life that seem right for you at a certain time, but not later on. Maybe you'll lose passion or your circumstance changes your desires. Whatever the reason is, if a goal is no longer "worth it" or fruitful to you, let it go. Sometimes we hold onto a failing workout routine or continue working on a personal project that has lost all spark because we fear throwing away something that took so much time and effort. Don't get stuck on things you aren't passionate about in 2017. This is your story, and a new chapter isn't something to shy away from.

5. Take a chance for once!

You can meticulously plan and color code your heart out, but the reality is life is unpredictable. Learn in 2017 to not be afraid and to try being spontaneous. Say yes to going out; experiment with your art; change how you approach some tasks. Some of the best decisions are the ones you make in the moment, and you can't keep holding yourself back because of the fear of the unknown and the fear of messing up. Life isn't perfect, but that's what makes it so fascinating! Take risks and let yourself be human once in awhile.

As always, please feel free to comment with any other tips you have for us struggling perfectionists! Thanks for reading, and happy goal-setting!