It’s January. The time of year where every conversation, without fail, comes around to talking about new years resolutions and goals. You can’t get away from it… at work, with friends and especially through social media there is a clear message: This year will be different.

Although I’m a huge fan of setting big goals and I admittedly love nothing more than seeing people execute on plans that allow them to unlock new levels of fitness/health/financial/professional success, there’s always been a underlying generally accepted and unchallenged message that has bothered me. This message is clear. On January 1 I’m making BIG changes baby because as it stand right now, I’m definitely not good enough.

Goal: To get fit and lose 25 pounds! = I need to loose 25 pounds.
Goal: To make more time for friends and family! = I need to become better with my relationships.
Goal: To pay off debt and save 10K! : I need more money.
Goal: To get a promotion or new job!: I need a better job.

Goals are typically based on a perceived need that you need to change X about yourself. While achieving these goals may be exactly what’s needed to improve the quality of your life, in order to find true happiness, wwhether the goal is achieved or not is a reminder of the fact that YOU ARE ALREADY ENOUGH.

To those who love you unconditionally: Your partner, your children, your parents, your best friends even your pets. You are already enough.

The pressure for constant improvement from society is only surpassed by the pressure we put on ourselves. Although goal setting and planning is absolutely the best way to enable self improvement we need to remember that it’s just that; improving on what is already great.

So as you go that first day without a cigarette, or walk into a new fitness class for the first time, don’t get discouraged by where you’re starting because who you are is already enough. Everything else is just gravy.

Happy New Year!