Every few months, I write in my journal about the highlights of the previous few months and my plans for the coming months. Maybe you\u2019re in the same boat. Meetings with your boss, where you plan your professional progress for the upcoming quarter, may be one source of your goals. Maybe you\u2019d instead make a New Year\u2019s Resolution on the spur of the moment, in the thick of your New Year\u2019s Eve party on December 31st.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever method you use to set goals, knowing how to create and achieve them efficiently can offer you an advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, most of us set ourselves up for failure when pursuing our goals. We set unrealistic goals in the first place, neglect to modify our environment to aid our development, or misinterpret how our everyday actions move us closer to\u2014or further away from\u2014those goals. With so much misunderstanding, it\u2019s no surprise that so many New Year\u2019s Resolutions fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, once we\u2019ve identified the most prevalent mistakes in goal-setting, we may consider more effective strategies. Setting smaller, more realistic goals can help us avoid failing in the first place. Regular self-reviews can also help us maintain track of our progress and stay on target. After all, so many of us establish goals for ourselves. Why don\u2019t we do it in a way that maximises our chances of success?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, let\u2019s get started:<\/p>\n\n\n
Take some time to reflect on the previous year. Turn off your phone. Then make this experience a memorable occasion by taking your notebook with you into the garden, grabbing your favourite chair and mug of coffee, or even popping into a coffee shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Allow yourself some time to ponder:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Allow yourself an hour (or two) – it\u2019s important to remember that this process isn\u2019t a race, so don\u2019t rush it. Write down all the things that come to mind.<\/p>\n\n\n
If you\u2019re anything like most people, you\u2019re probably not giving yourself enough credit for all your hard work over the last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s worth celebrating whatever it is because recognising small wins in 2021 motivates you to keep up the excellent work in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n
What is ONE thing I would do differently if I could go back in time and do last year all over again?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Be completely honest with yourself! Nobody will see or read what you write, and there\u2019s no judgement. Often, it\u2019s the things we know we SHOULD be doing that we regret not doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you\u2019ve figured out where you can improve, it\u2019ll serve as a beacon to help you go forward.<\/p>\n\n\n
Tip #4 \u2013 Set goals that you \u2018really\u2019 want (and are willing to achieve)<\/h2>\n\n\n
Yes, this sounds ridiculous. Why would somebody create a goal that they don\u2019t intend to achieve?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll be astonished! According to studies, around 80% of New Year\u2019s resolutions break before the second week of February. This suggests that most people establish goals just for setting goals\u2026 not because they are personally invested in achieving the goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If that\u2019s the case, why bother?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For this exercise, write down all your goals on a sheet of paper and cross out most of them until you only have your TOP three goals remaining. The top three goals you\u2019re committed to achieving this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip: If you\u2019re not sure which goals to prioritise, the best method to figure it out is to ask yourself WHY you want to attain this goal in the first place. If \u201csomeone else thinks it\u2019s essential,\u201d then it\u2019s probably not a goal worth pursuing.<\/p>\n\n\n
Tip #5: What doesn\u2019t get tracked, doesn\u2019t get done<\/h2>\n\n\n
Once you\u2019ve decided on your top three goals, it\u2019s time to put them into action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s how to do it in three easy steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Break the goal down into smaller, more manageable chunks. Think in smaller time units, e.g. days or weeks, instead of months or years. (If the chunk will take more than two weeks, break it down even more.) These smaller goals act as stepping stones towards bigger goals to keep you motivated along the way.<\/li>
- Find ONE KPI that accurately represents each goal\u2019s development. (For instance, body fat % in the context of weight loss.)<\/li>
- Make it a daily habit to document your KPI before the end of the day. (However, don\u2019t be too hard on yourself if your KPI doesn\u2019t increase the next day.) It\u2019s important to remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint.)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
When brainstorming your goals, consider prioritising three areas of your life: your health, finances, and relationships. These three factors are most likely to create the most value in the long run.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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