goal /ɡōl/ n. - the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.
We all know that January is the month to establish and implement your New Year Resolution (goal). Whether it's a need such as "I need to lower my blood pressure to get my health in control”, or a desire - "I want to go on vacation", each goal must have an action plan! Setting a resolution/goal can give us a sense of direction in our day - “does buying this new dress help me in my goal of paying my debt?” Hangs dress back up and exits store.
If you're not sure what would be a suitable resolution for you, try skimming this list to spark a little passion.
Set Both Long and Short-Term Goals
What do you do now that you set your goal?
GET GOING WITH IT RIGHT AWAY!
Short-term targets will help pave the way for success. Breaking it down into easier to attain mine goals is also a way to make your journey a celebratory one!
An example of this is, let's say you want to lose 30 pounds in 6 months - the first short-term goal could be to drink more water, the next goal is to increase vegetable consumption, the next goal is to add 30 minutes of exercise per day. When these short-term objectives are achieved, we are closer to achieving that final long-term resolution and have little checkpoints to celebrate our success.
Thinking about the 30 pound long-term main goal may seem impossible, but adding more water to your day - easy! Okay, what happens next? - increase vegetable intake - DONESO! Starting with short-term "check points" will help simplify the process and create an obtainable road map to a successful resolution for this year without being overwhelmed by the overall picture!
Set a plan that works
You have to think about this plan every day!
Whether you add it to a schedule, or utilize a SMART goal setting template or simply a screen saver on your phone with an inspiring reminder/message like the one I use to constantly invite me to live every moment with the mentality of "does this support my intentions for this year?"
We all have what works for us, so find out what's going to keep you pursuing success in this endeavor.
"A goal without a timeline is just a dream." - Rober Herjavec
Assess your Success
How will you measure your success? Do you review your credit score each week on Monday, check your holiday savings every payday, or approach your anxiety by writing in your journal every Sunday?
Whatever the goal, you need to check in - you need to develop an accountability system.
It is common that most New Year's resolutions are something big, (go big or go home - right?)
However, a smaller goal does not minimize its importance in your life. No matter what you dream of doing this year, you have to be able to check in and check back often. - reassess your success! See where changes may need to be made. Be sure to give yourself grace, but make the changes that will help you to be more successful as you move forward. Maybe it's joining a social media support group, maybe it's updating some of your goals in the short term, maybe you need to build a dream board and have a visual in front of you every day.
However, at the end of the day your resolution should be something that you want, that you're passionate about, something that thrills you, otherwise maybe the whole goal needs to be reexamined, after all you need to be the one who chooses to pursue it. - Heather Etzel