We’re only in the second month of the year, but I’ve already found it challenging to “go with the flow.”

But, I’ve been using a few practices that are helping me take action toward my 2024 goals and intentions.

The first practice uses the psychological concept of “cognitive dissonance.” It helps me to become the person I want to be — a person who “goes with the flow” among other things.

Just say to yourself, “I’m the kind of person that,” and finish the sentence with how you want to be or what you want to do.

It doesn’t need to be true yet. Your brain wants to be congruent with your beliefs and values, so it wants to make it true. You can use any phrase that seems helpful.

This practice makes me feel calmer and ready to meet whatever challenge awaits me.

The next practice is a check-in that I do each night.

First, I write down what went well that day and what I want to keep doing. It could be fun and connection while playing Pandemic Legacy with my family, doing a strength workout, or pausing to take in a beautiful sunrise.

Next, I reflect on what I’d like to do differently. I combine this part with a list of goals or intentions for the next day. An example might be to add mini-movement breaks into my study routine or to go to bed earlier.

I try to keep my plan visible during the day, so I don’t forget about it. Then, in the evening, I note whether or not I did the things I planned to do, and I begin the process again.

The daily check-in is a way to reflect on what’s working and not working in your life, and you get to make adjustments the very next day.

The last practice is to break my goals into habits that are easy enough to do every day and to keep track of my progress toward them.

For example, to get stronger, I set a goal to do at least two strength training exercises a day. My original goal was 10 minutes of daily strength training, but I adjusted that number down, so I could meet the goal every day.

Each day I reach my goal, I check off a box next to it. On my tracking sheet, my daily goals are on the left. To the right of each goal, there are boxes with the date. Seeing the checked-off boxes encourages me to keep doing more.

If we want to end up in a new place in life, we need to a way to get there. These practices are the path to doing the things that matter to me. If I keep adjusting my course along the way, eventually I’ll get there.

Joanna Zaremba is a writer, yoga teacher, and movement and mindset coach. She gives her clients the tools they need to feel good, so they can do what matters. She has lived in the Pikes Peak Region since 2011 and can be reached at www.joannazaremba.com.

JOANNA ZAREMBA