December 29, 2021
by Tara E.
Setting New Year’s Resolutions
The New Year is just around the corner, and you might be feeling anxious about how your life will change on January 1st. The good news: there are ways to make this transition easier! You can define what “more” means for YOU in 2022. This move will prove helpful so that when January 2nd rolls over into pro-level mode again with all its temptations, we will already know exactly where our energy needs go.
Setting New Year’s Resolutions SMART Goals
Setting New Year’s Resolutions is easy, but establishing them as a SMART Goal is better. Of course, you can set many goals for yourself, but if they are not SMART, what is the point?
A good goal should be Specific (know precisely how to achieve it), Measurable (be able to track progress), and Attainable. An achievable deadline for reaching your target at some point during this timeline must be in place. Otherwise, nothing will get done. Next, they should be Realistic (not a pipe dream!), and Finally, your goal has to be Timely (you have to set a date for completion).
Here’s another way to dissect the SMART Goals acronym.
Specific: How will I hold myself accountable for reaching my destination?
Measurable: What actions will I take to reach my desired outcome. When will I complete these actions? Who will be responsible for each step along the way? Is it just me, or am I relying on others throughout this process?
Achievable: Is there an attainable endpoint? This information will help you identify where everything stands before moving forward with the next steps.
Realistic: Is your goal realistic? Are you lying to yourself about what you are willing to do to achieve this goal? Are there any hurdles that will derail your efforts? If yes, what will you have to do to overcome those hurdles?
Timely: What is my timeline for achieving my goal? Failing or attaining the goal too late could mean that your plan did not have enough lead time. This failure can create problems, disrupting your lead time to correct mistakes made during implementation.
Keeping the End in Mind for Your New Year’s Resolutions
So, as you are thinking about what the goal looks like, you must think with the end in mind. What is the end goal? If you understand the end goal, you will know what you must do to accomplish that goal. You will effectively be able to create milestones to get there.
Milestones are an excellent way to track your progress. They allow you the opportunity for self-evaluation at each critical juncture that leads to achieving your goal. They ensure that nothing is left unaddressed until it is time to move on to a new goal or task! At each milestone, you can re-evaluate and see how much more work needs to get done. Tracking what has been accomplished so far can indicate how much more work needs to be done to reach the completion date. Milestones are also a fantastic source of inspiration.
Deploying Your New Years Resolution Strategy Using SMART Goals
So now that we know what to do, how do we do it? For example, is your goal to get in the gym more? If so, think about what going to the gym more really means.
You want to go to the gym more. You are looking to do something specific here: lose weight, improve your general health, or get more active.
How much do you go to the gym now? None. Ok, start with deciding how many days you can commit to going to the gym. Next, create a calendar. Check off each day that you go to the gym. This will create a visual source of accountability. You will be able to see how you are adhering to your commitment or where you have opportunities for improvement.
What does it cost to go to the gym? Can you afford it? If you want to commit to going to the gym, you have to pay the fees to maintain your membership. You must incorporate the costs into your regular budget to ensure you do not create an easy excuse for not going. Make it a part of your new normal. You could probably afford the cost by eliminating some of the “cheat” items from your grocery visit or reducing the amount you are eating out. Of course, this also contributes to your actual goal – to get fit. Something else for you to think about here – is going to the gym is the right solution for you? Would you be more effective by walking on the track at the local high school, creating a regular workout routine at home, connecting with an online group, or working with a personal trainer?
Keeping the Endgame in Mind
So what results are you looking for? What is the indicator that lets you know that you have accomplished what you set out to do? Is it pounds, change in energy level, the checkmark on the calendar (mentioned earlier)? You have to be clear on what you are looking for to effectively define what good looks like and measure whether you have achieved your results.
In closing, if you want to make changes in your life this year, be purposeful. Here are some tips to get you moving:
- Set realistic goals. Do not try to change everything all at once. It is a surefire way to set yourself up for failure.
- Write down your goals and keep them somewhere visible so you can refer to them
- Make a plan of action for how you are going to make it happen
There are several products available in today’s market to help you document your strategy and stay on course throughout the year.
2022 Manifestation Planner
The 2022 Manifestation Planner is an excellent tool that can be used to help you convert your New Year’s Resolutions into goals. This monthly life planner promises to increase productivity, boost general happiness, and position you for mental and physical well-being. This planner gives you access to resources that will support your transformation using the laws of attraction.
2022 Bloom Vision Planner
The 2022 Bloom Vision Planner is another option for those seeking to keep things simple as they navigate making those New Year’s Resolutions meaningful. The Bloom Vision Planner comes with multiple bonus features, including resources that enable you to craft a personal mission statement, document your annual goals and monthly vision boards with weekly action step planning, inspirational quotes, pages to document your notes, and multiple useful features.
2022 GoGirl Planner and Organizer for Women
The GoGirl Planner and Organizer for Women touts itself as a fantastic tool designed to help you regain control of your life and achieve your short and long-term goals. This Calendar is not dated. Therefore, it allows you to start your 12-month journey at any time.
