Forget Resolutions! Achieve Your Goals Instead

As we turn the page on a fresh calendar we have 12 months of potential in front of us!

In about 30 days, our lofty resolutions will be put to the test. The end of January is a critical time to determine if you had one or more “nice ideas” or if you were really resolved to do something different with your new year.

At best, the term “New Year’s Resolutions” is a shallow topic covered in the media on the days surrounding the calendar change.   At worst, resolutions carry negative baggage of something uncomfortable that you have to stop (like overeating) or start (like exercise.)  
What fun is that?

There’s a better way to approach a new year.  Don’t set “resolutions.” We all know that resolutions are meant to be broken. If you want to make a positive change start with the words you use. Instead of making a resolution, set a goal.

My favorite formula for achieving goals is authored by the late great inspirational speaker Zig Ziglar. His seven point plan is a simple and accountable way to achieve any goal:

1.      Write down your goal.  It’s now out of your head and committed to paper, an essential first step!

2.      Set a date to reach your goal. You set the time frame. Be reasonable about an achievable date.  Too soon is not realistic and too distant weakens the commitment.

3.      Identify the obstacles. I’ve always found that my initial excitement gets quickly replaced by the mundane things I need to do to stay focused on the goal.  A huge challenge for me is that the dream is always more fun than the many mundane steps it takes to actually achieve it. That can be a big obstacle.

4.      Seek out the people who can help you reach your goal. Sounds obvious but we have a tendency to ask many questions of and seek feedback from those close to us. It’s more productive to ask people who might have some expertise they would be willing to share.   

5.      List the skills needed to achieve the goal. Identify those things you need to know to reach your goal.

6.      Develop an action plan.  Create a personal GPS to get you from where you are to where you want to be.

7.      List the benefits of reaching your goal.  It’s critically important to be satisfied with your answer to the question: “What’s in it for me?”  If you’re making the effort, the reward should be worthwhile.

When you can set a goal and take the actions needed to reach it, you really have grabbed the potential that the new calendar presents.  Seek a goal instead of a resolution and you’re sure to have a happier new year! 

Here's to health and wealth to us all in 2018!