As we begin a new year, it’s time to leave the past behind and embrace the fresh energy that comes with a fresh start. You’ve probably kicked off January with resolutions before, but these are notorious for being quickly abandoned. Resolutions are often vague and inherently negative as they are centered around stopping doing something. Set goals for the new year which are empowering, realistic and measurable. This is a far better way to lead you towards prosperity in all areas of life. This year, take some time to craft high quality goals for the new year that will help you become your most successful self.
Set Goals Using The SMART Method
The SMART method is a way of setting achievable, empowering and realistic goals. This mnemonic reminds us that a goal should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant And Time-Bound. Many goals get forgotten or abandoned because they don’t meet these criteria.
By these standards, “get fit as soon as possible” is not a good goal. “Lose 5 pounds by the end of March” is a much better goal, meeting all specifications of the acronym.
Get Inspired By Successful People
To boost your motivation to set goals for the new year, look to the professional and personal journeys of successful celebrities. Each of them have their own methods for goal setting, but to be in the position they’re in today, they’ve clearly worked hard and lived up to their aspirations. It can be helpful to use the goals of celebrities as a template for your own goals.
For instance, the actor Bruce Lee wrote a famous letter to himself outlining his goals. It begins, “I, Bruce Lee, will be the first highest paid Oriental super star in the United States” and goes on to detail what else he planned to achieve in his career. He had met all these goals by age 34. Writing down your targets, perhaps as a letter to yourself, is a great method for goal setting. Notice how Lee uses “I will…” language, which is firmer than “I want to…” or “I hope to…”.
Beyonce, the singer, actress, and female empowerment icon, has a different method. She wanted to win an Academy Award so she placed a photo of one beside her treadmill where she could see it every day. Creating a physical reminder of what you wish to achieve is another great idea to always keep your goals in mind.
Balance Goal Setting At Work And In Your Personal Life
As you construct your goals, try to evenly split them between work and home. Both the professional and personal areas of your life are important and deserve to be improved.
Professional goals are those that help you become more successful in your career. These goals might include finishing a qualification, getting a promotion, or even starting your own business. Personal goals can be broad. They can relate to your physical health, such as running a marathon, or mental health, such as consistently journaling for the whole year.
No matter what, make sure all your goals are what you really want, not what you think you should want. To keep yourself well-rounded and balanced, make sure you have empowering goals that benefit each key aspect of your life.
Keep It Achievable: How Many Goals Is Too Many?
You might be feeling ambitious this year, which is great, but it’s important not to overdo it when you set goals for the new year. If you’re too overzealous, you’re bound to lose focus or feel like you haven’t accomplished enough. Around three or four goals is a good rule of thumb. Of course, this varies depending on what you want to achieve. One major goal to focus on might feel right for you.
Also, remember to keep your goals small enough. If you have a big main goal, such as eventually starting a family, try to break this down into achievable subsections. For instance, “go on at least two dates a month” is much better than “find someone, fall in love with them, and marry them”, even if that’s where you hope to eventually end up.
Track Your Progress And Hold Yourself Accountable
As you work on your goals, you want to make sure your efforts remain consistent. Find a method that works for you to track your goals and hold yourself accountable. Many people use a journal or a dedicated app to track their progress towards a goal. Make checking in with yourself a weekly task.
Finding an accountability partner can be another effective way to stay on track, particularly when it comes to bigger goals. This is someone who can be both your cheerleader and coach. When choosing an accountability partner, find someone who is non-judgmental, has your best interests at heart, and who understands that mistakes are a part of the process. When you find the right accountability partner, it can make a huge difference in your progress.
Celebrate Successes
Looking forward to rewarding yourself with something fun when you meet a goal is a great motivation to keep moving forward. As you work on each goal, think about how you want to celebrate when you accomplish it.
The way you celebrate your success depends on your preferences, and the goal at hand. If you meet a gym-related goal, you might want to celebrate by buying yourself some new sneakers to motivate you through your future fitness goals. If you finish your degree, a celebratory dinner with your family and friends is probably in order.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, never hesitate to congratulate yourself and be proud of your accomplishments. After all, you’ve worked hard for them.
Read also: Guide to Working from Home
Separating work and home life
