The start of the new year is a wonderful time to review your prior year and make goals for the new year. I realize that I’m a bit late at getting this blog out, but there’s no time like the present. Every year, I make a long list of goals and resolutions for the year. Some years, I accomplish most of the items on the list and am very grateful that the list helped me get so much done. Other years, the list gets buried in the papers on my desk, and I dig it out at the end of December, finding that most of what was on my list was left undone. Regardless of the outcome, I find the practice worthwhile. At the very least, it gets me to review aspects of my life and decide if I’m on the right track. If you haven’t done so already, this is a good time to make your own goals and resolutions.
Goal Writing Suggestions
Over the years, I’ve tried different techniques and found that a method will work one year and possibly not work the next. This year, I’m trying something different. You may find it works for you too. One of the biggest reasons my goals and resolutions get neglected is that they are major goals, often too ambitious for me to ever get to in a busy year. This year, I started a notebook with minor goals and made one of my major goals to be completing three pages worth of minor goals in my notebook. My minor goals include thinks like: touch up the varnish on our wood kayaks, get a newsletter out, complete a speech, etc. None of these are too challenging to accomplish.
Another technique that has helped stay me on track for the year is to break a major goal into smaller monthly goals. For example, a major goal may be to exercise at least 150 times this year. On my January calendar, I’d list the goal to exercise 12 or more times (much easier to remember). I might also pick a one-time goal and write a reminder in a specific month, like painting the house in June.
Other simple suggestions include:
• Put your goals somewhere that you will see them throughout the year, such as above your desk.
• Make sure goals are specific, so you know when you’ve attained them.
• Track your progress and consider giving yourself a reward. Getting things done might be enough of a reward.
• If you make a long list, consider breaking it down into categories. I list business related goals then have a separate section for personal goals.
Goals and Resolutions You Might Consider
• Meditate – My websites, meditationresources.net and curtremington.com, and have lots of information to get you started.
• Join a Toastmasters club – This is a wonderful way to overcome a fear of public speaking, develop leadership skills, and meet lots of fun and interesting people.
• Exercise
• Eat a healthy diet
• Take a great vacation to a specific destination.
Final Thoughts
Life gets busy. If we don’t set goals and resolutions for ourselves, it’s awfully easy to spend the year just keeping up with our day-to-day routines, forgetting to take on some of the bigger things we would have liked to complete.