Every time December rolls around, we begin to assess how the last year treated us along with finding new motivation for the upcoming year. With great anticipation (usually) for success, new found joy and more, we get really excited to think about our goals for the new year.
Until January 1 gets here, and we need to implement them. How often do you find yourself staring at your goals wondering who came up with these just last month and then start to revamp goals that are slightly more attractive?
Or we get set in our ways and when the excitement wears off a month or two in, the wheels fall off of the wagon. We’ve all had these moments and they are disappointing. We give up or forget about them until this time next year.
According to an article done by Ohio State University, 23% of people stop their goals by the end of the first week of January. Furthermore, a whopping 43% end up quitting by the end of the month.
Instead of wishing for results or success, let’s look at how setting your goals for the new year can be approachable AND exciting.
This year IS the new you and it IS possible to get there. So before you fantasize about what you want to accomplish next year, let’s look at some strategies to make sure you can hit them and will enjoy doing them.
Goals shouldn’t be punishment, they should be motivators to propel us into success!
So grab your iNotes app, open a blank doc, or grab a good ole pen and paper. You’ll want to make notes!
Note: I place an example of how I organize my categories, focus areas, and priority level if this next year seems confusing.
1. Reflect on the current year.
This is the time to look back on how the year really went (and not just what you posted on social media.) Really take a look at the good and bad. Be realistic about what has kept you from reaching your goals or gaps you can identify that need to be fixed.
Ask yourself questions like: Did I enjoy these goals? Did they help me become better in x, y, z area? By choosing these goals, what did I have to sacrifice (and was it worth it)? Leave no stone unturned because this is what propels us into better aligning with who we want to be next year.
2. Identify 1-3 categories for your new goals
One might seem too little, and three might seem too much. I usually find myself somewhere in the middle and it’s based on things that are important to me. Health/Fitness, Faith/Education, and Family. I know this looks like 5 but hear me out.
I would be remiss if I didn’t make Health/Fitness a category. I usually aim for a personal goal with training my own body as well as a goal for training clients. Faith and Education may seem a peculiar pair but I’m always seeking to learn more. I do that by studying the Bible and gathering with likeminded people. I educate myself in the Word but also desire to further my education elsewhere too. I usually accomplish this by reading random books or learning a new skill. This year I read a book on reading nature’s sign…no? Not interested? It was good I swear.
Lastly, Family. While these are in no particular order, I save this one for last because it is the one that truly determines where the other pieces fall. I aim to take trips with my family, create lasting memories, or make goals of teaching them certain things by the end of the year. I plug and place everything around this but these goals require more time and other people involved.
Choose your categories wisely. If you have ones that intertwine like I do, make sure you still keep your focus areas (below) to a minimum. We don’t want to be overwhelmed when the journey gets going come Jan 1.
3. Pick 1 focus area per category to prioritize and rank its importance.
I say 1 but if you have a broad category like I do at times, 2 might be necessary. We want these to be attainable. There is only so much time in the year. While it would all be nice to do, sometimes we fall short because we have too many irons in the fire. Let’s focus on what we can feasibly tackle and sometimes the item we write might just be to “get started…”
Consider smaller tasks like shopping less or saving X dollars a month. Or this may be the first step to a large plan, such as starting a business. (Example: Decide on a business name and have a business plan written by mid-year.) You may even have personal goals that might be accomplished over time or recurring events such as visiting your parents or grandparents once a month.
Whatever these things are, stick to them and make sure they are ones that can be accomplished in small chunks.
Then, rank their importance, assuming you have more than one. This way you know that this is the main driver and everything works around this guy. You can rank each category or you may decide ranking the focus areas all together makes more sense.
You are the driver for these goals, make it make sense for you!
4. Make a plan (or budget) to accomplish them.
Some of these goals may need to be saved up for. Or they require a detailed plan to accomplish them. If there is a larger plan at play, try to write down all the stepping stones, if you will, that will lead to the finished result. This way you can refer to the overarching goal but focus on small chunks at a time.
Hey, you may even find that you are crushing your goals for the new year ahead of schedule, can start tackling other items. Either way, have this all documented (separately of your goals for the new year.) especially if it’s complex or lengthy.
5. Write down your goals for each one and make them visible
Bonus points if you share with someone. For the focus areas that are written in your columns you will want to make sure you also write a SMART goal for each one. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Identify what it is that you want to accomplish and define how you know it’s “done” or a metric to show improvement/success.
Make sure it’s something that can be done within your timeframe, it makes sense with your categorical goal, and finally has a time you want it done. For example, a good SMART goal for fitness could be: “I will walk or run on the treadmill for at least 30 minutes, 3 times a week.” While the amount of time and duration may fluctuate this is the baseline you want to hold yourself too. It is one that is attainable, measurable, and realistic.
Just remember that sometimes we need to pivot throughout the year and that’s okay too. What we aim to do is make sure your goals for the new year move you in the right direction. Even if it ebbs and flows OR changes for that matter. You’re on a mission and that’s what counts!
Now keep that note, document, paper READY and AVAILABLE to keep your motivation, discipline, and drive where it should be on those days you don’t feel like showing up. While each day can be different, losing focus over the course of 365 days is easy to do. Especially when life throws you, well, anything right?
Stay on track but make sure you have a track to stay on in the first place. You get it?
This is about intentional growth and even the tiniest step can be progress in the right direction.
Now that you’ve unlocked the secrets, go crush your goals for the new year. I believe in you!
Goal Organizing Example
- Health/Fitness
- Training or attend group fitness class 4 times a week to build muscle and core strength by end of year. (#1)
- Offer in-app training program outlines for clients to drive value while increasing client capacity by 2 by end of year. (#2)
- Faith/Education
- Complete 3 bible studies to gain understanding of individual books in the Bible by end of year. (#1)
- Gain Nutrition Coach Certification by mid-year to begin adding value to current client load. (#2)
- Family
- Complete at least 1 family vacation by EOY to focus on spending time together and enjoying warm weather. (#2)
- Find a church that is close to home by mid-year (and listed out the churches we wanted to explore and when we planned to visit them. Also, I would create a list of things we wanted out of a church and things that mattered most separately of this goals list.) (#1)
