This year I invite you to exchange your New Year's Resolutions for challenging, but achievable goals. Why? Because...
It is generally said that 40 to 45% of adults make one or more resolutions each year. Most New Year's resolutions are about self care and management, weight loss, exercise, and spending more time with family and friends. Other popular resolutions involve better money management and debt reduction.
Unfortunately after only weeks or a couple of short months, most people have broken their resolutions and are resolutely reattached to their former habits. The reason for this is because resolutions have a fail mechanism. They work on an 'all or nothing' mentality. "If you fall off the wagon even once, you have failed yourself! And with that weighing down on your shoulders it is hard to get back on the proverbial horse and reengage with your NY's resolution."
Goal setting however is quite a different beast. Especially if you set your goals using concepts laid out by the laws of attraction.
1. Decide what your goals will be. Be very specific, and write them down as if they are already a reality. If you have vague goals, you are guaranteed to achieve vague results.
E.g.I have a job that I love. I am paid well. My colleagues are wonderful
and my boss is mentoring me for my next promotion.
2. You must dare to dream. Don't just write down what you know is easily obtainable. What would you add to your goals setting list if you were not afraid?
- Now look over your goals, why do you want to achieve them. Is it something you really want or is it something you think others would want for you. In order to achieve your goals they have to be something you really want for yourself.
- Next spend some time getting to grips with why you have not achieved these goals before. What is the underlying problem? This can sometimes be difficult work and is something you might hire a coach to help you uncover.
3. you have decided on your final list of goals print them on a bright card, even laminate it if you can, and put it in a prominent position. This will keep your goals top of mind throughout the year. Your subconscious will notice the card even if you are not reading the words every day. Again a coach can help you stay accountable to achieving these goals.
4. Do make a point of reading your goals regularly (weekly or monthly) and always work toward them, breaking the big audacious goals down into easily manageable chunks and then moving forward one step at a time.
5. Trust you will achieve your goals and let go of any struggle and the outcome.
6. Answer the questions:
"How much is finally achieving my desired results worth to me?"
"Will this investment mean I won't be making the same resolutions again a year from now?"
Don't go it alone. Enlist the help of others. If necessary, spend money on services, e.g, a personal trainer, education, or coaching which will help you to achieve your goals.
7. Revisit your goals at the end of the year and be amazed at how well you did. It is not magic. Although it might feel like it sometimes. You will have enjoyed a whole year with no self blame or reprisal. If you slipped a little, and even if you didn't quite reach your goal, I am willing to bet that you have achieved much, much more than any other year, and that your outlook has considerably improved.
The reason for this is that it is a proven fact that if you start your year with defined goals, you will either achieve them, or at least get a good way towards achieving them. If you do not state your goals, you have nothing to aim for, become distracted by other things, and be left still dreaming of a better life as yet another year draws to a close.
You are the only one who really knows what you need and you can set yourself up for success. Be realistic and plan for successes, but also think about how you will handle setbacks. Get your support systems in place and do something every week that will move you closer to where you want to be and to who you want to become.
Finally, don't forget to celebrate all small successes as you go along. This way you draw a line in the sand that you will be less likely to slip behind in the future.
