I am someone who absolutely loves new years. I am unashamed of it! In recent years there has been a lot of kickback and resistance to over-glorifying new years resolutions. Some of the chief complaints being: 1) you can restart any time any day of the year. 2) Most of them don’t last. 3) They’re always too big and too lofty. Keep reading for the perfect way to start a resolution in your life.
In the era of “manifesting” your future, I find it a little odd that the former complaints would fall on the lap of the new year. Resolutions set the stage. It is the introduction to the main show. Not only does it provide a really amazing time structure for setting and accomplishing goals, but it is also giving everyone a designated season for goal setting. It is for people both within and outside your circles.
Goal setting and resolutions are so critically important for your family and relationships. Every year, Justin and I sit down with a big sheet of paper and talk through what was good about the previous year, what was not-so-good, what we want to do, what we want to experience, and what we want to change. Now imagine if the two of us weren’t on the same page about setting goals at the same time. Our measurements for success would be completely off kilter and the synchronicity between him and myself would lapse.
Don’t be shy or let anyone rain on your parade about setting a new year’s goal. Chase after that dream. Set those mile markers. Accomplish that goal that you haven’t been able to shake out of your head.
Get really clear on what your goals are. Whatever you call them, however you define them, get crystal clear on what target you are aiming for. My top piece of advice for people who are wanting to set goals is to go by the SMART method.
S (specific) M (measurable) A (attainable) R (reasonable) and T (timely)
Specific — make sure your goals are very specific. Whether it is one big goal or a bunch of small goals that line up to one big one, make sure it is specific and defined.
Measurable— This one is a bit weird, but I implore you to push bit harder to get a measurable outcome. And make it specific. “I want to spend more time reading.” “I want to read 20 books next year.”
I would even define books here. Do ebooks count? What about audio books? Books for school? Children’s bedtime books? Get ultra specific.
Attainable— Going with the example from above, reading 365 books in a year for the average person is probably not attainable. The reason it is important to set attainable goals is because if the goal is too big or too crazy, it can be deterring and defeating when inevitably you don’t meet it. Set a goal that you can attain.
Reasonable— This goes hand in hand with the attainable piece, but reasonable is trying to bring you back to earth with your goals. Am I going to be a multimillionaire by the end of 2022? No. Could I attain money? Yes. But is a multimillionaire a reasonable goal for 12 months. No.
Timely— This means that your goals must be bound by some type of time frame. If you don’t set a time frame, you will never know when/if your goal is accomplished because you’re not watching the clock. Whether it be days, weeks, months or even years, set a time limit. You can always hit the repeat button.
Goals can be a tricky field to navigate, but by using the SMART method, you can get your new year off to the right start.
I’ve put together a FREE downloadable that is the perfect jumping off point for you to start off the new year on the right foot. Click the link below to get it straight into your inbox.
