It is that time of the year: the point between ringing in 365 days of possibilities and one month of little to no progress on them. Again. Your resolutions do not have to slide into irrelevance – there is ample time to correct course, break free of old habits, and attain each one of the goals you set for yourself.
Set Attainable Goals
First, are your goals attainable at all? Pushing yourself to your limits is a great way to break boundaries but only if the ultimate objective is within realistic reach. Setting a goal of making a million by December is admirable, but only if you have a concerted plan that can actually achieve it. Otherwise, it is simply tilting at windmills, which will inevitably wear down your resolve.
Here are some examples:
- I will update my resume and submit two applications every week, not “I will find a job that pays double.”
- I will pay off $500 of debt every month, instead of “I will clear all my debts.”
Set Measurable Goals
Attainable goals have to be broken down into bite-sized pieces, with markers along the way set to jog you out of complacency. Time-based markers are the most effective, and each goal can have its own scale with some set to a weekly schedule and others to monthly or quarterly ones.
Here are some examples:
- 20 minutes of exercise every evening, not simply “I will lose weight.”
- I will earn an extra $1,000 monthly with my side gig, instead of “I will start a side gig.”
- For many people, measurable goals set to a daily timetable are the best way to develop long-term habits.
Set Diverse Goals
Implementing a single change to one aspect of your life in and of itself is a step in the right direction. Creating a series of complementary changes is even better. The positive momentum from one transformative improvement serves not only to encourage you but also gives impetus to the pursuit of other resolutions.
Here are some areas of our lives that could benefit from goals:
- Family and relationships
- Work and career
- Finance and money
- Health and fitness
Set Them in Stone
Well, not quite, but definitely write them down! I do not mean scribbling out a note and sequestering it in a dark nook. Rather, put them in a place where your eyes fall often. That could mean adding post-it notes to your PC monitor, bathroom mirror, or closet door.
The location has to be a place that you see at least once or twice every day. The bathroom or closet work best because we visit these areas periodically and, most importantly, at the start and end of each day.
If you need help setting your goals, please contact me today to get started.
