Goal Setting: A New and Improved YOU!
Now that the holidays are behind us, it’s the perfect time to reflect on this past year and start thinking about setting goals for yourself for 2024. Goals are different from resolutions. Goals are something you want to achieve, whereas resolutions are often something you want to change. Goals can be a great way to give us purpose and direction in our life.
5 Tips for Setting Goals
1. Meaningful To You
Set goals that are meaningful to you. Imagine your future and think about where you want to be by the end of 2024. Consider all areas of your life including health & fitness, family & community relationships, personal growth, and creativity. Ask yourself why you want to achieve each goal. This reason will be your motivation to keep going.
2. Specific and Measurable
Think about what you want to accomplish and how you’re going to get there. If a goal is measurable, you will know when you’ve reached it. For example, a fitness goal of “I want to be healthy” is too broad. Instead try “I will walk for 30 minutes, 3 times a week”. These details make the goal quantifiable. A relationship goal might be to have a weekly date night with your spouse or call your mom/sibling/grandchild once a week.
3. Write down your Goals
Writing down your goals increases the likelihood that you will achieve them. It helps you clarify your goals and stay motivated. You might even want to post your goals on your refrigerator, bathroom mirror or even your car dashboard - wherever you will see them regularly to remind you and inspire you to continue to stay on track.
4. Schedule Time
Now that you’ve set some goals, plan and carve out time to actually work on them. Add details to your calendar just like you would a doctor’s appointment. Determine the best time of day to focus on your goals. If you have more energy in the morning, go for a walk after breakfast. If you have more free time in the evening, you could schedule a phone call after dinner.
5. Celebrate
When you’ve taken the first step toward your goal, celebrate the win. And, if you slip up, be compassionate with yourself (as you would be with others). Revisit why you have set this goal for yourself and make a plan for how you will get back on track. Remove the obstacles and focus on the positive!