American author Melody Beattie perfectly captured the opportunity each new year offers us in this quote- “The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals”.
New years are all about new beginnings. This time is about coming up with goals you aim to achieve this year, whether in your personal or professional life. A lot can happen in a year, so it is important that goals do not just remain aspirations. The SMART goals that were set should be tracked so that we can influence their achievement. What better way to celebrate the end of the year than by looking back and seeing that the goals set at the start were reached, right?
Here are some helpful tips on ensuring that you stay on track with your set 2023 goals.
Always remember your big why.
It is always motivating if you deeply understand the purpose of something you need to do. Keep in mind the reason why you set the goal in the first place. Why did you aim to start your own business? Why did you include getting promoted at work as your 2023 goal? Remembering your original motivation can help you stay focused even when things get tough.
You can use this simple statement to stay grounded to your big why:
“I want to _______ so that I can _____”
(I want to have an additional gig so that I can earn an extra income and have more savings.)
Break your goals down.
You can break down your goals into smaller activities or milestones to make them more manageable. It’s always better to set major goals and break them into smaller ones so that they will be less overwhelming, and at the same time, it will be easier for you to map your progress.
Let’s say your goal is to increase savings by 20%. Ask yourself- what steps can you take to achieve this in a week, a month, or a quarter? What milestones do you want to get to say that you are on the right track?
Determine the resources you will need.
Think of what additional resources you might need to stay on track with your goals. Identifying your needed resources will set you up for success. Let’s say your goal is to be promoted in your job. To be considered a candidate for promotion, you must widen and enhance your competencies. You can either enroll in certification courses, get a mentor, or request additional roles to learn from colleagues.
Set reminders for yourself.
To always stay reminded of your goal, make ways always to keep your goals in mind. You can put notes in your planner or office space, set alarms on your phone, or create a fixed schedule to do actions that will lead you to achieve your goals.
Regularly review your goals.
You must measure your progress regularly to ensure you will hit your goals. Measuring and keeping track of your goals will help you determine whether you are progressing. If your progress is acceptable, then this is an assurance that what you are doing is working. But if you’ve gone off track with your goal, your regular reviews will serve as a wake-up call to exert more effort and stay more focused.
Assign an accountability partner/s.
The saying that “no man is an island” holds true here. Surround yourself with people who will be instrumental in achieving your goals. Be with ambitious people who will inspire you instead of holding you back. Have an accountability partner/s with whom you can share your progress and plans. You can even find a group with the same goals as you so that you stay motivated in achieving your goals.
Celebrate small wins.
Take time to reward yourself and applaud your efforts. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. This is a simple tip, yet this will keep you motivated, as you will look forward to rewarding yourself again for the progress that you’ve made. This step will also help you enjoy the process of achieving your goals which makes it sustainable instead of just reaching the destination for the sake of it.
Wrap Up
Setting up goals for yourself this 2023 is easy, but ensuring you hit those is the challenge. With the right attitude and mindset, you can set yourself up for success.
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Joy
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