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December 30, 2024
Did your year go to plan? Or, like me, are you facing the reality that 2024 threw a few curveballs, and things went off track?
Those resolutions and goals you set for the year are long forgotten, left unachieved. Another year has passed by, and maybe you've made no progress. Do you feel regret and disappointment creeping in?
Before we get stuck in a destructive spiral of self criticism, here are 8 actionable tips to ensure your goals do not meet the same fate next year.
Before setting new goals, start by reflecting on the past year. Ask yourself:
Use this time to learn from your experiences over the last twelve months. Consider what worked and didn't work. Whether those goals that remain unachieved are still aligned with your priorities. There's no point continuing to pursue something that no longer offers improvement to your life.
Don't forget to celebrate unplanned victories. It is very easy to focus on our shortcomings, we forget to acknowledge all the good stuff that happened. Use these victories as a reminder of your potential and as motivation when setting new goals.
How often have you set a New Year's resolution only to forget about them a month later? Writing goals down helps make them tangible and memorable. Keep them somewhere visible, like your journal, notes on your phone, or even a sticky note on your desk. This will act as a reminder, helping to keep your goals front of mind and prompt you to take consistent action.
Goals require focus, but they also need purpose. Don't set goals based on what people expect of you or what others want for their lives. Take some time to reflect on whether your goals truly align with your own happiness and fulfillment. If not, choose some new ones.
When you understand why you need to achieve this goal, you create emotional investment and increase the perceived value of achieving it. This can help to sustain your efforts when things get hard and motivation is low. For example, if your goal is to switch careers, your reason might be, "I want to feel excited to go to work each morning" or "I want to have the resources to provide greater opportunities for myself and those around me."
Vague statements like "save more money" or "improve relationships" are hard to track and that makes them more difficult to achieve.
Instead, make it measurable:
Specific goals create a benchmark that will help you track future progress against a measurable objective. Providing clarity around what successfully achieving your goal looks like.
"A goal without a plan is just a wish." – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
Having a plan can make your big audacious aspirations more attainable by identifying what needs to be done in order to achieve them. Take time to break these intimidating goals down into smaller actionable steps. Start with the deadline and work backwards to identify milestones you will need to hit in order to achieve the outcome in your defined timeframe.
During this process, evaluate whether your goals are realistic. Unrealistic targets can discourage progress and set you up to fail before you have even begun. Whereas small wins drive us forward, growing momentum and establishing motivation to attack the next milestone. A well-thought-out plan not only keeps you on track. It is a great way to provide feedback on your progress and raise concerns when veering off course. This gives us the opportunity to make proactive changes to our approach early and increase our overall chances of success.
Regularly reviewing your goals helps maintain focus. It also provides an opportunity to adjust priorities, identify upcoming milestones, and establish what actions need to take place. I have found that setting aside time at the beginning of each week works well.
Sometimes, pruning or modifying goals is necessary. Simplifying or redefining a goal that has stagnated can increase your chances of success. Regular reviews provide opportunities to identify if and when this action is required. Don't be afraid to scrap a goal all together. Priorities and circumstances change, goals that once mattered may no longer align with your current needs or aspirations. Focus your energy on pursuing goals that will serve you.
Celebrate your wins, big or small.
Recognising your accomplishments provides motivation and boosts your confidence in achieving longer term goals. This is increasingly important when overcoming the minor setbacks you will inevitably face along the way to success. Celebrations can be as simple as treating yourself to something you enjoy, sharing your achievement with a friend, or just taking a minute to appreciate your hard work. Your brain loves rewards, so use them as an incentive to keep going and build momentum towards long term goals.
A year feels long, but it's short in the context of your entire life. Think about where you want to be in 5 or 10 years. Getting clarity about your long term direction helps guide your short-term goals and ensure they align with your broader vision for your life.
Goals shape your future, but remember that there are external forces at play, so adaptability and self-compassion are key to navigating this long journey of life. Increase your chances of success with reflection, planning, and consistent action to build a life that aligns with your vision. For further inspiration, consider reading Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt, this book offers actionable strategies to help you achieve your goals.