New Year, New Projects…. Tips for goal setting

If, like me, you are into setting goals and planning projects, then here are some tips to help you get your goals clear in your mind and start working towards them.  Setting resolutions in the New Year is a great way to get motivated but sadly most resolutions seem to be broken by the middle of January!   Try to assess whether the change you want is actually something that can be changed (for example, improving your diet) and if you have a lot of changes you want to make divide them into categories such as  ’must have/do’, ‘would like’ and ‘if I get time’ to help you prioritise them.

Make your goals SMART – this is something that crops up a lot in goal setting workshops and stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed.  These are essential ingredients for successful goal setting and can help you determine whether it is something you are actually serious about doing or just a whim!   By being clear in your mind what it is you want to achieve, how you can measure your progress, how achievable and realistic it is and when you want to achieve it by you can monitor your journey and take the relevant action to stay on track.

When you have a clear idea what it is you want to achieve, take a moment and close your eyes and really immerse yourself in the outcome.  See your goal, feel it, touch it, taste it, live it…. enlist all your senses to make this vision as real as possible.  Think to yourself that you are already experiencing this outcome, you already have it.   As well as concentrating on the result keep reminding yourself of the motivation for setting this goal.  Keep your affirmations in the present tense to add power to the vision.

Then try to take daily action, no matter how small, to work towards your goals.  By breaking them down into bitesize tasks it is much easier to take action immediately and not feel too overwhelmed.    Try and do something every day, even if it’s just reading through your goals and action plans.  Little action often = more likely success!  Doing something each day keeps the idea fresh in your mind and can be really good for building momentum to get the bigger tasks done.  It also keeps the goal in our conscious mind so that when we are presented with choices we can take the option that will help move us towards our desired outcome.  Try to keep things on a manageable scale to avoid getting overwhelmed by what needs to be done – being over-ambitious could prove disheartening and you will be more likely to give up.

Keep the language you use positive.  Rather than focusing on giving something up (smoking, unhealthy diet etc) reword it for a positive outcome, such as following a healther lifestyle or eating to nourish your body.  This way you are not giving yourself a message of deprivation but a positive addtion to your life.  Also be aware of using the word ‘should’ – work out if you really want to make the change or whether you are doing it because others are putting pressure on you.  This will make a huge difference to your success.

Every time you reach a goal give yourself a reward – cross it off the list and treat yourself with something that makes you happy.  Whatever motivates you and will give you some drive to get to each level can be a reward but avoid replacing one bad habit with another – for example if you’ve stopped smoking don’t make the reward alcohol, or if you’re trying to adopt a healthier diet avoid food treats as your reward.  Treats such as a trip out, a new book, a massage or a home spa evening can all be good rewards along the journey.  Whatever lifts your spirit and helps you towards your goal.

Above all keep the process fun and enjoyable – part of the success of goalsetting is enjoying the journey and keeping your energy high and enthusiastic.  If your goal journey starts to become a chore it may be time to go back to your plan and have a rethink.  Remember it’s perfectly ok to change your goals along the way!  What may seem to be the thing we most want to achieve at the outcome can sometimes lose it’s appeal as we work towards it and see the reality of it – this is not a failure, it is a brilliant learning process that will help us find what it is we really want!

Although the new year began on January 1st you can start working towards your goals at any time – the warmer days of spring may be more practical for starting an outdoor fitness regime for example, or you may have a particular time of year that you favaour – choose a time when you feel strongest to begin your journey for the best possible start.

Good luck with your goals and have fun!