Every year we set goals to help guide us through the new year. But how many times have you set a New Year’s resolution or goal just for it to fizzle out before the month of January even ends? If that’s the case and your resolutions rarely stick, then maybe it’s time to rethink the way you create these goals. No matter what the goal is, big or small, it's important to take the right approach.
Here are 5 tips on setting goals you will achieve.
Make it a SMART Goal. S – Specific: Make them as clear as possible M – Measurable: Develop a benchmark and a target so you know if you’re making progress A – Attainable: It’s healthy to stretch, but ensure your goals are within reach so it’s worth the effort R – Realistic: Create goals that are challenging enough to avoid underachievement and apathy T – Time-Bound: Assign deadlines to goals in order to create a sense of urgency, which fosters achievement.
Set Goals YOU can control Your personal goals shouldn’t be dependent on other people. They also shouldn’t be reliant on external factors that you have no control over. Be realistic about what you can and can’t be directly responsible for.
Make your goals visible To help keep you on track with your goals, put your written goals somewhere you’ll see them. It should be a place you visit regularly so that you’re constantly reminded of where you want to be.
Break them down To help your goals be more digestible, break them down into smaller pieces. Use a “goal ladder” by writing your main goal at the top rung of the ladder. Work your way through the rest of the ladder steps, writing down the smaller goals you need to achieve in order to achieve your main goal.
Reflect and adjust Maybe you haven’t achieved your goals in the time frame you wanted to. Maybe your goals were a bit too unrealistic. And that’s ok. Rather than feeling defeated, take time to review your goals and see what you can change. You might need to adjust your goals or maybe just tweak your plan to achieve them.
Don't put too much pressure on yourself when creating a New Year resolution or setting your monthly goals, even if you don’t reach all of your goals, just having them written down can provide a deeper sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.
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