With just 4 sleeps to go until the big day, and 2022 within reach, what better time to start thinking about setting ourselves goals for the New Year. 

Why is it so important to set goals for New year?

The New Year is widely viewed by many as a fresh start. We set ourselves goals all year round but setting goals as you walk into a fresh New Year creates a starting point enabling you to look back and view your progress much easier. Setting goals at the beginning of the year completes the first step of identifying where you want to be and what you want to achieve. You are working in the right direction, knowing exactly what you plan to get out of it – helping you to put an action plan into place, boosting your chances of success. Many individuals set goals for New Year, your friends and family may also be doing this, whilst you are all individually working towards your own personal goals, you can support and encourage one another.

Whether you realise it or not, setting goals is so important, as you move through life, you want to be able to look back and feel happy that you dedicated yourself to achieve. Goal setting will lead you to greater success and performance.

Setting yourself goals doesn’t have to be boring, but it is vital to set yourself realistic, achievable goals. Setting a goal that isn’t realistic nor achievable, can cause frustration and low motivation. Having said that, whilst you should start of setting small, reachable goals, don’t cut the future off, think about where you want to be in the next 5 or even 10 years. Set goals for the future, put a plan into place based on your future goals and give yourself the time to work towards this. Achieving goals is a process, believe it or not, it doesn’t happen overnight!!

How does achieving goals make you feel?

Setting goals and working towards your goals shows a sense of commitment, involving a change in your behaviour and emotions to attain your goal. As human beings, we all have something we would like to work on / change – now and in the future. Setting reasonable, achievable goals gives us a feeling of satisfaction, increased motivation, fulfilment, and happiness. Each time you achieve and succeed, your mindset will grow more positively, improving your individual wellbeing. 

Setting long-term goals for the future will challenge your mind, causing you to think wider, and bigger. Some of us have a clear vision as to where we see ourselves in the future, for others, it can be difficult to think this far ahead. You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight – Quote by Jim Rohn.

Rewarding achieved goals 

It is important to reward yourself when achieving goals. Be proud that your efforts to achieve resulted in success. Setting yourself a reward on achievement of your goal will give you the motivation to move forward, boost your energy and increase your productivity.

Setting SMART goals 

S-Specific 

Be specific on what you want- Example, you want to lose weight, how much weight do you want to lose? 

M-Measurable 

Identifying the measures to view your progress once you have reached your goal.

A-Achievable/Attainable

Set a goal that is achievable within you chosen timeframe. Example, you want to be a qualified nurse by the end of 2022, even though gaining the relevant skills and qualifications will take you up to 2 years.

R-Realistic

Base your goals on your reality, ensuring you have the time and willingness to work towards them.

T-Time-bound

Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to work towards your goals.

Types of goals

-        Career goals – What Is your dream job? What do you need to achieve to get your dream job?

-        Financial goals – How much do you want to earn? Is this related to your career goal?

-        Personal development goals – What do you want to improve about yourself?

-        Educational goals – What knowledge and education will you need to get your dream job? Is there anything you want to study to gain new skills?

-        Relationship goals – Think about your long-term happiness? Do you want children, marriage? Your relationship goal may simply be the relationship you have with yourself, what makes you happy?

Setting goals gives us a roadmap to follow, helping to define what we really want out of life and teaching us to prioritise. But life doesn’t always go to plan – any that’s okay! We don’t have to live each moment of our lives based by our goals.

If you are reading this and you are unsure of what you want to achieve short term, and in the future, set yourself a small goal to achieve by the end of today. It could be as simple as cleaning the house or going for a run. Reflect on how achieving this goal made you feel.

A goal properly set is halfway reached – Zig Ziglar

You have to have more than hope, to get what you want in life – Shannon L. Alder 

Merry Christmas – and a Happy New Year Fans of Plans 

PS- If you want some more guidance and to ponder the big questions in life, why not check out the Philosopher-in-Residence series. Out every fortnight on a Thursday, and written by our Principal Planner, Anna Pascoe. You can take a peek at the latest edition here https://www.makemeaplan.com/news/on-30-39/