With the new year, many of us have had time to reflect, evaluate, and commit to being a better father, wife, friend, employee… or whatever is most important to us. As a result, goals have been set for some while others have simple resolutions of what they want to change. Wherever you fall on the commitment spectrum this post is to help provide guidance on how to have the best shot at fulfilling your 2018 New Year’s resolutions.
Be Clear On The “Why”
If your goals are simply something you “should” do and others expect it from you then you will not get far. If there is not a pure “why” that motivates and inspires then you ought to reevaluate. The “why” comes from aligning desires with core values. Core values are the deeply held beliefs we strive to live. What are your core values? Once you gain clarity on your core values then knowing what goals to set becomes much easier and the likelihood that you will achieve such goals increases significantly.
Let us take a common goal of, say, losing weight. Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to look good for your honey? Is it to get a honey? Are you overweight and lack self-confidence and, as a result, want to lose weight to increase how you feel when with others? Is a healthy lifestyle an important value to you and, according to the charts, you are overweight and at risk for some disease or condition? Be sure you know exactly why you want to achieve the goal. Knowing why provides motivation to sacrifice for its realization.
Avoid “All or Nothing” Mentality
We are human and, as a result, are not perfect. We are not going to achieve all our goals all of the time. Unfortunately, our imperfection causes us to get down on ourselves and give up. We set goals to progress in ways that are meaningful to us. If we are taking steps in that direction then we are fulfilling our “why”. Therefore, establishing and accepting different levels of achievement will encourage the positive habit or behavior to continue.
For example, an hour at the gym five days a week is ideal, four days a week is acceptable, and three days a week is our minimum. All are better than nothing. Give yourself flexibility in your accomplishments and this will allow for sustained positive action.
Set SMART Goals
Most of us have heard of the SMART acronym guide to setting goals. Here is a reminder on how to set SMART goals:
Specific – What is the goal? How often will it take place? Where will it take place? When will it take place?
Measurable – Can the goal be measured? We need to know if we have achieved it or not. This will give us specific feedback and hold us accountable.
Attainable – Is the activity and time frame realistic for the goal we have established?
Relevant – Is this goal consistent with our purpose and mission statement? Does it bring us closer to where we want to be?
Time-bound – Specify the time in which the goal will be achieved. Is it a regularly occurring goal that is to be accomplished weekly? Is it a “one and done” activity that has a clear beginning and end? Ensure you specify a time frame in which it will be completed.
Tracking Required
I have been at this goal setting endeavor for 10+ years now. Through experience I have developed and iterated a Goal Setting Tracker that organizes goals into eight different life areas (consistent with the Wheel of Life). The spreadsheet tracks goals on a weekly, quarterly, and annual basis. All the user has to do is input results from the week. Weekly, quarterly and annual progress are then automatically populated. Check out the Goal Setting Video to see how it works.
I will close with one of my all-time favorite quotes: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb.
Do now what you wish you did five, ten, or fifteen years ago. Have a great 2018!
Comments are closed.