How To Set Realistic Hair Goals Every Year

It’s nearing the time of year when we start to review our achievements from the current year and prepare to make fresh goals for the upcoming new year.

We set goals for many different areas of our lives. Hair is an area that has gotten a lot of attention in the past few years. Ladies are paying closer attention to their hair. That is mainly because we now have so much information at our fingertips. We are better informed which allows us to take more control of our hair and beauty.

Because of this information and attention, hair has also managed to find its way onto nearly everyone’s goals list. Resolutions now include hair growth goals, relaxer stretching goals and commitments to deep condition regularly. It has really become a thing.

And like all goals, the key to achieving your 2017 hair goals is to be realistic and remain committed and consistent. Cutting corners that no one else sees is ok, but remember, your hair knows. It knows. So, let’s agree to see things through. Let’s breakdown how to set realistic hair goals for 2017

Inspiration is fleeting. Stay focused on the WHY

We are all pumped in December. This can even last into January and February, for many. The truth, however, is that the spark to leads to setting a resolution is 9 times out of 10 born from inspiration. We see some amazing hair in a magazine spread.

Or the woman in front of us in line at the grocery store gives us hair envy. Maybe it’s the #tbt Instagram picture you posted that has you reminiscing about how great your hair once was. Who knows? What I do know is that inspiration is fleeting. It’s like any other emotion. It comes and goes.

In order to reach your hair goals, you have to figure out a way to stay focused and committed. The best way to remain on track is to keep the why in mind. When you set your hair goal, make sure there is a solid reason behind why you’re wanting to reach that place with your hair.

Reviewing the why will get you through those times when you really just want to go straight to bed instead of oiling your scalp and properly wrapping your hair up for the night.

Be realistic about your starting point

No matter how focused you are, unless there’s some hocus pocus to go with your focus, you’re not gonna go from a pixie cut to waist length hair inside of a year. Not without the help of some weave*. It’s unrealistic and you will only be setting yourself up for failure if you go into things thinking that way.

Assess the current state of your hair. Jot it down and be honest. Then set an attainable goal that makes sense for you. Consider your lifestyle, your hair type and any other factors you can’t control that will play a part in your progress. If you’re a working mom with 3 kids, you are not going to be able to take 3 hours every Saturday to attend to your hair without interruption.

Be practical about consistency

In line with the consideration of your lifestyle, also honestly map out what you’re able to be consistent about. Make a similar list of what you know you will probably slack at keeping up with. When you take an unbiased look at the two lists, you’ll see a pattern form.

That pattern is going to be extremely helpful when you are plotting out the steps you plan to take to reach your new hair goals.

If you are lazy when it comes to moisturizing daily, but you rarely use heat and you always protect your ends, you will be able to outline how much growth you should be able to retain each month because you know how much your hair grows currently without you moisturizing daily.

Don’t commit to a technique that will define whether you reach your goal or not, when it involves something you know you’re likely not going to keep up with. Implement steps that focus on what you already consistently do. That way you don’t have to make a complete lifestyle and personality change in order to stay on track.

Have a backup plan

Anyone who has ever embarked on a hair journey of any sort, knows the reality of setbacks. Things that are unforeseen, do happen. Working in room for mishaps is a smart way to approach things. When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

You don’t have to think in terms of a catastrophe, but do consider what could go wrong and how you will get yourself back to the place you need to be to refocus on reaching your hair goals.

You set goals to achieve them so use these tips to set realistic hair goals for 2017.