As we begin to wrap up 2018, planning for 2019 is at the forefront for many of us. Maybe you’re working towards some new goals or perhaps you’re setting out to finally meet your targets for prior ambitions. The new year is a great time to hit the restart button by re-focusing and evaluating where you’d like to be.

Wondering how you should begin? Keep things on track by implementing these five (5) short tips to guide you along the way.

1. Write down your goals and set timelines

Putting pen to paper is a great way to tangibly document your goals and hold yourself accountable for accomplishing them. In addition to writing them down, set realistic timelines and come up with ways to measure your progress in small increments. That way, you won’t get daunted by a big goal and you can also celebrate your ongoing successes as they happen.

Another great idea is sticking your written goals in a place that’s easily visible to you. Seeing your goals regularly will encourage you to prioritize your time and be reminded of what success means to you.

2. Create a vision board

A great exercise is creating a visual representation of what you want your year to look like. Whether your goals are to exercise more, travel the world or reach a financial target, having a collection of pictures can give a visual guide for what your life can look like.

Wondering how to get started? Cut pictures out from newspapers, magazines or printouts and get creative! Stick these images on cardboard, pin them onto a cork board or even use magnets to put them on your fridge door. If you’re more tech-savvy, search for images online and store your vision board pictures in a desktop folder or even create a digital collage. Whatever you decide, looking at these images regularly can remind you of what you’d like to achieve.

3. Partner up or find a community

If you’re planning to kickstart or revamp a habit for the new year, consider asking for help. Whether it’s having a gym buddy, consulting a dietician or meeting with a financial advisor, seeking expertise from others can go a long way in helping you to plan your year.

Joining communities that are in alignment with your goals can also help to motivate you and surround you with like-minded individuals. It can be as easy as joining a community swim class or a monthly business networking forum. Whatever you decide, it’s important to surround yourself with positive people who have a similar mindset.

4. Be mindful of your ‘feed’

When you hear the word ‘feed’, you may most likely think of food. However, when setting out to accomplish your goals, think of your ‘feed’ in a broader sense. Your feed refers to anything that you consume on a continual basis such as food, news or social media content.

Although it’s not feasible to entirely avoid negativity, you can make a conscious effort to consume a positive feed as much as possible. Whether it’s following inspirational pages on social media or reading uplifting material that’s in alignment with your goals, controlling your feed and what you choose to consume can go a long way.

5. Don’t forget to give yourself credit!

While a new year can be a great opportunity to keep your goals in check, it’s important to be realistic and keep yourself grounded. It’s easy to get overwhelmed as you’re working towards your goals, especially with the hype of setting new year’s resolutions. Even if you’re not where you want to be, remember that you don’t have to complete all your goals all at once.

Celebrate your small wins and remember to give yourself a pat on the back for working towards your goals. After all, the small leaps you take today can make all the difference tomorrow.