Welcome, 2023! The New Year has arrived, finally, and with it comes new beginnings and renewed hope. Many people take this time to focus on the year ahead. Whether you believe in them or not, New Years’ Resolutions can be a great way to plan the upcoming year. However, many people feel like New Years’ Resolutions are a way of setting themselves up for failure, which is why we are going to focus on Goal Setting, the difference between the two, and how to set up actionable steps to reach those goals.
What’s the difference between the two?
Put simply: resolutions are statements of things you’d like to change, while goals are statements that specify what you want to achieve. For example, saving money. A goal would be “I’m going to save 10% of every paycheck” whereas a resolution could be “I want to save money.”
Why are goals better than resolutions?
While resolutions are laid out with the best of intentions, they lack specificity and steps. They don’t have a plan of action. Goals, on the other hand, are more specific and action-oriented than resolutions, which makes it easier to create a plan to achieve them.
Here are a few ways to set clear goals, setting yourself up for success in the New Year:
Be Specific.
The more specific you are in your goal setting, the more likely you are to accomplish them. When goals are broken down into measurable and manageable pieces, you are able to stay focused and track your progress. With this tracking, you’re more likely to be motivated to continue on the path. It’s a tangible hope that you can see. A finish line, so to speak.
Keep Them Visible.
When something is staring you in the face (a pile of dirty dishes in the sink, a mountain of laundry to be put away, etc) you’re more likely to get it done. The same goes for goals. Write your goals on a sticky note and put it somewhere you’re going to see it often, like your computer monitor, or your vanity mirror.
Turn Resolutions Into Goals.
Start with a broad statement, such as “I want to lose weight”, then think about specifics. How much weight do you want to lose? When do you want to lose it by? Once you’ve narrowed it down, write out smaller actionable steps to help you achieve your goal. Get specific, and outline every little detail possible, by doing this you’re setting intentions and creating a pathway to follow. This is key to reaching your goals.
Keep It Simple.
You’ve heard of the KISS Method? Goals are the same. Don’t overcomplicate things by working on too many goals at once. You will get overwhelmed which will lead to feelings of frustration, which then inhibits motivation. This, ultimately, can lead to an abandonment of these goals. The best course of action is to not work on more than 3 goals simultaneously, with 1-2 being optimal. Why? Well, because it’s easier to stay focused and you’ll see more tangible results which will increase motivation and keep you moving until you’ve reached your goals.
Goal setting doesn’t need to be overwhelming, anxiety-inducing, or anything negative. It can be a time of reflection, full of excitement, bringing you joy and hope as you begin this new year.
If you are ready to tackle your goals for this year, but are unsure where to start, get in touch with us at Entheos Transformational Coaching today. We can help you establish your goals and create a strategic plan full of actionable steps to get you to meet those goals in 2023.
Namaste,
Kiki