It’s that time of the year when many reflect upon the previous year, and look ahead to the upcoming year. The new year offers a fresh start. It’s often the starting point to make changes. The problem is that you might be great at creating resolutions and goal setting, but aren’t always successful at keeping and achieving them. It takes committment to follow through, so your resolutions are more than wishes and broken promises. You can increase your chance for success by having a solid plan, prepared coping methods, tracking progress, and taking baby steps.

Initial Plan

You can start out listing short term and long term goals. You can even go as far as creating a life list of all the things you want to do. It’s important to know what you truly want and get it down on paper. Spend some time and brainstorm. Now choose one goal. That’s right. Choose just one. Select a single goal that is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Tangible.

The other goals you can meet after you’ve reached this priority goal. However, with brainstorming you might find that some of your smaller goals overlap, so you’re able to work simultaneously on more than one. For example, if two of your goals are to try new recipes and lose weight, you could combine those two mini goals into one overall goal.

Your goal is selected, and now you want to make it as specific as possible. As an example, if you wanted to write a book, you would specify what type and how many pages you plan to write within a certain time frame vs. simply stating you wanted to write a book.

The key is to choose to work toward a goal that is high enough to be a challenge, but not so out of reach that it’s not feasible.

Information and Knowledge Gathering

Learn more about your goal. Take time to read on the topic. Understand how much time you need vs. have to commit to your goals. Are you willing to make sacrifices? Are there others you know that have successfully achieved your goal, that you can network with? Take some time for a self assessment. It’s important that your goals match your values and interests. Do you require advanced education for your goal? Will you need a support system? Sort out any costs that might be involved too.

Coping Strategies

To combat any pitfalls and obstacles, consider what they might be, so you can be prepared for them. If you know someone that isn’t going to be supportive, then don’t share your goals with them. If you’re aware that a situation will sabotage your goal, then don’t place yourself in that situation. Ask yourself if your decisions are bringing you closer or further from your goals.

Perhaps, you have difficulties with self-sabotaging and need to build confidence. Stick to your goals, and don’t quit when there’s a setback, negativity, or when you’re frustrated. Keep trying. Pick yourself right up again and continue where you left off. Confront your fears. Don’t forget, you can start resolutions any time of the year. This is your goal and your timeframe.

Deadlines

Create a start date and deadline for your goal. This will prevent procrastination and will help you stay committed, and will help others to support your goal. You are starting a goal and working toward a goal. A deadline holds you accountable. You can create a final deadline and break up your goal into smaller, more manageable steps.

Motivation and Rewards

Once you achieve a mini milestone, reward yourself, so you remain motivated. Enjoy your accomplishments. Checking small steps off the list will be rewarding. That’s progress! You don’t have to have hours each day to accomplish your goal, but you do want to be consistently working toward it and reviewing your progress.

Visualize accomplishing your goals. What do you see? Tell yourself “I will do this” instead of “I want to do this”. List all of the positive aspects and benefits of reaching your goal. It’s necessary to have a concrete vision of your goal achievement.

This step will be ongoing, but as a start, you can express your commitment to your goals with written affirmations, positive motivational words, and reminders of what you can do to overcome obstacles. Some people are successful with using post it notes, treasure mapping,online reminder services, or calendars.

Review

Track your progress and review your goal daily, or at the very least weekly. Are you closer to your goal? Ask yourself some hard questions such as, is this goal still a priority or how important is it? Evaluate what is working and what isn’t, and make any revisions accordingly.

Once you’ve achieved your goal, reflect on it. Was it too easy? Make the next goal more challenging. Did you learn anything new to apply to your other goals? Most importantly, enjoy your success.

You’re invited to join my Goalgetters Club. It serves as a support and accountability group.

Make the time and don’t make excuses. Own your goals and believe it! Take a step today and right now!

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