If you are like me, the ideaof something “new” is reallyrefreshing and exciting! Thenew year is a time for a freshstart. We get a chance to turnthe page and begin again. Theidea of setting a New Year’sResolution can be dauntingand almost comical, especiallyif you have a low success rateof actually “following–through”with your goals, but resolutionscan be a very beneficial and lifechangingthing.
About 50 percent ofAmericans make New Year’sEve resolutions, but only15 percent manage to keepthem, according to www.realscienceofsuccess.com.Why is that? Perhaps we tendto do one “all encompassing”goal and then not take stepstowards achieving it. I find oneway to keep your resolutionsis to break them down. It’svery helpful to organize yournew year’s resolutions intocategories. Here are some ideasto help you get started.
- Professional Goal: Whether it’s to get a promotion, win that sales trip to Hawaii, take a business course, or keep your desk clean, professional goals can give us that extra spring in our step at work. Work goals energize us and the boss might notice and reward you accordingly!
- Relationship Goal: Try to plan and adhere to a weekly “date night” with your spouse, visit Mom and Dad more, or find an “accountability partner”, someone to meet once a week for coffee and discuss personal issues. Renew an old friendship. Vow to be more “authentic and real” in your current friendships.
- Health/Wellness Goal: Sign up for that kick–boxing class! Join the local basketball league. Train for a half–marathon. Join a gym or try walking the neighborhood a few nights a week. Drink more water! These goals are great for both your heart and your soul! Plus, you’ll meet new friends working towards the same goals in a lot of these activities.
- Financial Goal: Zig Ziglar shared “There is not a lot you can do about the national economy, but plenty you can do about your personal economy.” Set a budget and live by it. Pay off your debt. Save Money.
- Spiritual Goal: Join a church. Find a Bible study and meet new friends. Pick up a good book about religion. Reflect on the meaning of life and why you wake up each morning.
- Long–term Goal: Buy a house. Own your own company. Get a Master’s or PhD. Invest in a new venture. These long–terms goals can be refined every year, and slowly worked towards. Setting a timeframe, like 10 or 20 years, can help with these goals. Dream big!
- Fun Goal: Plan for that trip to Australia! Save money to go see the Grand Canyon! Buy a motorcycle, or go to golf school! Reward yourself for a job well done this year!
Now you have your goals, hereis an idea to keep them in the frontof your mind. Write them down.Keep a journal and list each goal.Then, periodically check–in withyour goals. My friends and I try andcheck–in with each other on July 1,six months into the year, and askourselves: How are we doing? Makean appointment with yourself onJuly 1 for your “half–year” resolutioncheck–up. Then, make adjustmentsaccordingly and keep going! Youstill have six months!
Finally, here is a little somethingthat might inspire as you set yourgoals. It’s called the “Winner’sBlueprint for Achievement”. HappyGoal Setting!
