New Years Resolution Goal Setting
For many people, making New Year’s resolutions is, by far, easier than keeping them. As you make resolutions, consider how you will follow through and keep them. These five goal setting tips can help.
Tip 1: When you set New Year’s resolutions, consider the steps you need to take to make your goals a reality. Do you need a change of direction, more education or experience? Develop an action plan for each resolution.
Tip 2: Be sure to include a time frame for both short-term and long-range goals. You can always adjust the time frame as you work through the action steps toward the goal, but without a completion or realization date, you will lack the incentive to keep your resolutions and make your goals a reality.
Tip 3: Know yourself. What are your priorities? Are you an organized, decisive person? Do you delegate tasks and manage your time effectively? Are you a procrastinator? What motivates you? Understanding your own personality and how you approach tasks will assist you to create a plan for keeping your New Year’s resolutions.
Tip 4: Develop a daily plan. Planning makes things happen because it removes chance from the process. Planning provides a framework and gives directions to the activities of your life. Your plan reflects your goals, priorities and gives you control over goal setting and the process of living out those goals. Include contingency plans for the unexpected. So many times, the plan is derailed when something more important or urgent interrupts you. Identify and know how to react to sudden and demanding situations so that you don’t live from one crisis to another.
Tip 5: Take time to evaluate throughout the year. New Year’s resolutions often fall by the way side because you don’t allow time to stop and reconsider them at regular intervals. Give yourself permission to throw out a resolution that isn’t working for you a few months into the year. You can change goals as you accomplish them, or make new ones throughout the year. Making resolutions, or setting goals should be a fluid and flexible process because life is ever-changing. What works for you in January may no longer be effective in June. Plan to evaluate and adjust your goals every month or two. Pat yourself on the back for keeping resolutions and for achieving goals. At the end of the year, remember the process you used so that you can repeat it for the following year.
Making and keeping New Year’s resolutions is an ongoing process of giving direction to your life and goals. Remember: you never plan to fail; you fail to plan.
