As we enter into the last month of the year, it’s a great time to look ahead and set goals for the New Year. Goals are different than a “New Year’s Resolution”, in that you come up with things you hope to achieve, but also a plan of action on how to get there. Often times, we make these resolutions – things we hope to accomplish without making time to think through what it would take to get that thing done. In order to lose 10 pounds in January, I must forego sweets in January, work out three times a week and find an accountability partner to hold me to it. This is a goal with tangible things to do in order to achieve it.
As we look ahead we should make plans and goals for different areas in our lives: personal, relational and professional. Here are a few ideas as you look ahead to 2016 and create a strategy of things you hope to accomplish:
Set attainable goals. When setting goals for yourself, be realistic. If you do not work out at all right now, don’t set a goal of working out an hour every day of the week. Give yourself some grace and be realistic. Work out ½ hour 3 x a week. This gives yourself those days off in between and starts you on a path of exercise.
Put a plan together. Make a plan on how you will attain your goals. If you want to write a book – who do you need to connect with, what research needs to be done, when will you write, when do you hope to have it finished, who will edit your book? Make a plan so your goal can be achieved.
Make time for your goals. Just like everything else in life, you have to carve out time to work on your goals. Put it on your calendar, and try to work on one goal every day if possible. If not, mark off a few times a week to accomplish things within your plan. Schedule time for writing or working out, or whatever else you hope to accomplish this year.
Be accountable. Find people you can share your goals and dreams with and ask them to hold you accountable. Choose people who will be “tough” on you when you don’t hold to task. (Don’t ask your BFF who will give you grace every time you give an excuse.)
Check in periodically. At the end of every quarter, just as you would give account at work for your accomplishments, go over your goals and see where you are at. Adjust goals or deadlines as needed, but hold yourself accountable for the things you had hoped to get done and find ways to work on those goals you haven’t started on yet.
Even if you don’t believe in New Year’s Resolutions, I’d encourage you to be a person who sets goals. If you don’t set goals and make plans for your life, where will you be at the end of 2016? You won’t know, because you don’t even know what you are aiming for! Take some time this month to plan ahead and set goals for the next 12 months. December 1st, 2016 will be here before you know it!
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