At the beginning of the year, it is usually the moment in which many people consider the objectives for the year that begins. Setting goals is very interesting. It helps you think about what you want to achieve, it helps you prioritize, and it gives you the motivation to achieve them. Seth Godin said that “Everyone has their own Mount Everest; We were all put in this world to climb.”
Here are SOME IDEAS THAT WILL HELP YOU IN THE GOAL-SETTING PROCESS:
- Think long term: I recommend you think long term, 5 or 10 years from now (or even more). What situation do you want to be in? What kind of life would you like to have? What income do you want to earn? Where would you like to live? Being clear about your personal and professional vision should be, in my opinion, the first step in planning your goals.
- DEFINE SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVES: once you are clear about where you want to be in the medium and long term, translate these objectives into short-term challenges. In this sense, a year is a great term to me. Think carefully if the goals you set for this year are fully aligned with your vision in the medium and long term.
- BET ON INTERMEDIATE OBJECTIVES: once you have your objectives for the year well defined, transform them into short-term objectives, for example quarterly and monthly. In this way, you do not have to wait until the end of the year to see if you have achieved them or not. Also, think that setting intermediate goals makes the total challenge perceived as easier and therefore can increase your motivation to achieve it. Also, if you are successful in your first intermediate objectives, surely your motivation will increase, which will make you want to continue for the following objectives.
- AMBITIOUS BUT REALISTIC: It is not always easy to find the right balance between setting goals that are ambitious, realistic, and achievable with your current circumstances.
- MEASURABLE: it is said that what is not measured does not improve and that what does not improve tends to get worse. So set measurable goals. Even if the general idea is hardly measurable, such as improving my health, specify what elements of your health you are going to pay attention to and what results you want to have (for example, I am going to weigh so many kilos, my cholesterol level is going to be X and others).
- WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO STOP DOING? When setting goals, most people think about doing things: for example, I’m going to study a foreign language or I’m going to join the gym. Almost all the goals for the year are based on “doing”, on action. And it’s great to want to do things, but since your time is limited, you’ll only get to do new things if you stop doing other things. What I recommend, set goals also about what you are going to stop doing. Stopping doing some things is essential to achieve new goals.
- VISUALIZE THE RESULTS: if you have set a goal for this new year, it means that it is important to you. Whether it’s losing weight, earning money, or finishing some studies, think about the result. How will you feel when you have achieved it? What benefits will it bring you? I recommend you frequently visualize the results. It will surely give you the necessary motivation to continue fighting for your dreams.
- CELEBRATE SMALL VICTORIES: As you improve and meet some intermediate goals, celebrate these achievements. Don’t wait to get the result, celebrate and value each step and each milestone you reach. It will help you move on and fight for the next goal.
- SHARE YOUR GOALS: It is important that you share your goals with someone close to you. It can be your boss, someone on your team or even your partner, or any other family member. The fact of sharing the objectives can increase your commitment and your responsibility in achieving the challenges you have set.
- ALWAYS HAVE YOUR OBJECTIVES AT HAND: Jack Canfield said, “you should read your list of objectives every day”, as it will help you be clear about your priorities and fight for them. Always carry your goals with you (on your cell phone, in your notebook, on your computer…). Print them out and post them somewhere where they are frequently visible. It will help you remember what you want to achieve this year.
Here are 10 ideas that can help you set your goals for this year. I take this opportunity to wish you the best for this coming year. And I end with a phrase from Michelle Obama “The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.”
