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If you are like me, the New Year is a time of hope.  A fresh start.  A chance for me to reset my motivation, and intention, and that inner voice that decides how worthy I feel on any particular day. 

Though they’re just separated by a number of hours, you have to admit that December 31 and January 1 feel drastically different. There is a completely different energy that is hard to ignore.  The best way to channel that energy is to set goals for yourself for the coming year and begin working toward them.

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What goals did you set for yourself last year? Did you achieve them?

A little about me

I have to admit: My goal setting has been, well, not that effective. I’ve been really falling off the bandwagon. Instead of creating actual achievable goals, I’ve been wishing for unicorns and rainbows and a million dollars and not really putting any work in.

That’s cool. We’re all guilty of it. Yes, you are AWESOME. But that doesn’t mean things will just happen for you. I fully believe in the Law of Attraction, but you gotta do the work, my friend.

I’ve been wishing my health was better.

I’ve been wishing I had more energy.

That I had less anxiety.

Don’t be like me. Goals like that are, very likely, not going to be accomplished. Shoot for the stars, but also, make sure to build a rocket ship to get there.

What about you?

Did you set any goals for this year so far?

Some common ones I see my friends and family set are:

I want to… (Fill in the blank)

• Be healthier
• Have a better love life
• Have a more successful career
• Make more money
• Have more friends
• Get a new hobby

Do you notice how people typically give up on their goals by like January 20th? I have definitely been guilty of that more times than I can count. The reason most New Year’s resolutions are unsuccessful is because they are too vague to give you any sense of direction.

Goal setting how to guide

For a goal to be successful, it has to be SMART. And I don’t mean in an intellectual context, I mean it has to be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific- measurable- achievable- realistic- timely)

For instance, we all have that friend who says they want to get in shape this year.  (Maybe that “friend” is you! No shame.) They (or you) are sick of being tired and not having confidence about their appearance.

Tell them about SMART goals! Tell them, rather than say, “I want to get in shape,” say, “I will run a 5k in July 2019.”

Why is this a better goal? Let’s review the definition of SMART goals.

The new goal is specific

Instead of saying you want to get in shape, you are giving yourself a specific area of fitness to target (your endurance). You are saying a specific thing you want to do, rather than, “I want to get in shape.” What does that mean? Make sure you are defining it clearly.

Pursuit Goal Journal – A Unique, Down-to-Earth Method for Productivity, Motivation, Mindfulness, and Goal Planning. 6 x 8.5 inch. (Blue)

The new goal is measurable.

You can easily track your progress on an app or chart. So, if you made the goal to run a 5k, you can set micro-goals that act like stepping stones on your way. You can say, “This week, I will jog 1 mile, 3 times.” Or if you have a time goal, say, “This week, I will run for 30 minutes, 3 times.”

The new goal is achievable. 

You would be able to start from scratch and achieve this in a reasonable time frame. So, if you’re a total couch potato, don’t set a goal of being able to run a full marathon in a month. That’s not gonna happen, sorry to say.

Your Best Year Ever: A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals

The new goal is realistic. 

Barring major medical issues, you can likely train to jog 3 miles over the next 6 months. All it takes is a little time and dedication, and a lot of patience with yourself. But it can be done! So set goals that are realistic for you, in whatever season of life you’re in.

The new goal is timely. 

You have given yourself a deadline in which you want to achieve the goal. You said, “I will run a 5k on X date.” That gives you a clearer picture of the action steps you need to take to meet your goal, rather than leaving it more open to interpretation.

Goals: How to Get the Most Out of Your Life

BONUS: In the new goal, you said, “I will,” instead of “I want to.” Conscious language matters!

Get out there and do it

So, absolutely set goals for yourself this year.  They are a wonderful thing, and it is a noble pursuit to try to better yourself.  Because none of us are perfect, and we are all capable of getting out there and setting goals.

Even if you’re a busy mom.

Even if you have depression and anxiety, like me.

Or maybe, you’ve had too many goals fail in the past, and you’ve lost a little faith.

Set those goals. But make them QUALITY, measurable goals.  Make them SMART and you are way more likely to succeed.

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Related Posts: 50 Must Have Mental Health Resources, Taking Control of Your Health: Only YOU Can Make You Better, How to Start Over With Fitness, How to Challenge Negative Thought Patterns, What Self Care Really Is

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