This time of year many of us are setting goals or resolutions for the year. It’s the beginning of a new year and that fresh start feel is wonderful. A clearing out of the old and stagnant, and a welcoming to the new, fresh, and hopeful space.
So how do we make these goals we set actually work?
Well first let’s start with why even bother setting goals because you certainly don’t have to. There are some benefits to goal setting you might actually like however and it could be the answer to a problem you’ve been having such as lack of motivation, depression, loss of purpose, loss of joy and life force energy.
Setting goals gives us that feeling of purpose. Which we all need. When we don’t feel purposeful we can loose that luster for living this life. It brings us joy and something to look forward to. While being fully in the present moment is a wonderful thing which I believe our world does need more of – having a goal helps keep us in a forward thinking space. It gives us something to literally look forward to. When we look forward to something – it sparks excitement, joy, and anticipation within us. Who doesn’t want more of that!?
It gives us the balance of being and doing.
Many of us I’m sure would benefit from some more ‘being’ time where we are contemplating a beautiful flower while sitting and simply enjoying and breathing somewhere in nature ( this could be a goal ). The balance however of the ‘being’ and the doing – is important.
Aspiring for something we want for the future becomes like an anchor for us in this ever swirling world.
Deciding what we want and setting the goal to achieve it is like the handrail you can hold onto on an unsteady trail. It keeps you grounded as well as gives you the ability to live and create the life YOU’RE wanting.
It’s easy to get swept away in the wind of what others want – setting a goal keeps you on track to create what you want.
So the question – How do you set a goal you can achieve?
- Decide what you want. Not what someone else wants for you. What YOU want.
- Write it down.
- Now determine what steps need to be taken to get there.
- Break those steps down into very small pieces.
- Set time frames. Realistic time frames. When do you want to accomplish the goal? Now work backwards. When does each step need to take place to reach that time frame?
- Have 1-2 steps you can accomplish weekly. Before you know it you’ll have accomplished it!
Keep in mind: Your time frame is flexible. But stick to it. If you find yourself not doing a step, break it down smaller. There will be hurtles, walls, distractions – take a breath and keep going. If you decide you no longer want the goal you set – congratulations you are human and you have the ability to change your mind as you choose! Embrace that gift! Don’t be hard on yourself – just change your goal. Having an accountability partner to keep you on track will increase your odds of accomplishing your goal by 95%.
If you’d like an accountability partner and someone to help you with this process – the foundation of what I do as a Health Coach is goal setting. I’d be more than happy to work with you and accomplish some amazing things with you this year!
Schedule a free consultation below.
Intentional Living with Jody 