5 Steps to Achieving New Year’s Goals
The New Year is a time to set goals. Every year people set goals that they forget or lose track of by February. Whether it’s because they become too busy, the goal wasn’t that important to them in the first place or perhaps they just didn’t write the goal effectively. So how do you stay on track with a goal?
- It’s important to have a well written goal. To know specifically what it is that you want. SMART goals are a great way to have a well written goal. Write them so they are:
Specific-Measureable-Achievable-Realistic-Timed
- Once you have a well written goal you will need to have a strong emotional desire to achieving the goal. If the goal is not something that has a strong emotional component you are less likely to achieve it. Close your eyes and visualize having your goal and see what emotions it stirs within you.
- Make sure you only have 1 or 2 major goals at a time. Any more than this and you will have too many goals to focus on and none of them will get done. A major goal like losing 40 pounds will affect many aspects of your life.
- Create an action plan in writing to accomplish the goal. Once you have the goal you need a plan or road map to get you there. By creating a plan you will automatically find the obstacles in your path and be able to prepare for them. By writing long hand you also engage Broca’s Area- a part of the brain that when engaged helps the person to connect powerfully to what they have written in a way that is not stimulated by typing on a computer.
- Get the resources necessary to achieve the goal. Resources could be something tangible like money or setting aside time. Resources can also be improving confidence or developing a more positive attitude.
Writing a goal by using these 5 steps will make you more likely to achieve your goals. As in most aspects of life, it is a process. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect. Perfection is unattainable. By improving each and every year you will achieve more of your goals.
