self help
by Sam Marchetta

Forget New Year’s resolutions

Plan for real success in 2016

Typically at the beginning of the year many of us will make New Year’s resolutions. These may include getting fit, drinking less, getting a new job, better work life balance or learning a new skill. Unfortunately the problem with resolutions is they tend to be throwaway statements that rarely include any real plan on how they will be achieved. So in reality most of us barely remember them come February.

Here are my top 7 tips in achieving the success you want in 2016 by setting New Year’s goals instead of resolutions.

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  1. Establish an overall vision for the year

Where would you like to see yourself in 12 months, and if you cast you mind further forward how does the next year contribute to the overall vision for your life. Yes I am asking you to think where you are heading not just in one year but also beyond. Whatever goals you achieve in 2016 will have an impact on 2017 and beyond.

  1. Keep it simple

Keep the number of goals you set each year to a maximum of 2-3. The idea here is simple (pun intended). Generally speaking the more focused we are on a smaller number of goals the more likely we are to achieve them. Another way to look at this is that we only have a certain amount of energy to expend, and the more goals you have the less energy you will have to focus on each.

  1. Prioritise your goals

The goals you set need to be a priority, so you will need to find a way to integrate them into your everyday life. Consider where these goals sit in importance next to your other commitments – such as family, friends, work and social life. What are you will to give up in order to achieve your goals? Why are these goals important to you? How important is it that you achieve these goals?

  1. Map out your plan

So this is where the serious work begins and will test whether you are ‘really’ committed to achieving your goals. I suggest you break down your goal into months, weeks and even days. As you progress towards your goal what can you expect to achieve at the end of the first month or at the six-month mark.

  1. Focus on the ‘how’

A common pitfall in achieving goals is focusing to strongly on the outcome and not the process, or ‘how’ you plan on achieving your goals. You should consider what support you may need. Do you need to join a gym? Do you need to see a financial planner? Do you need to do some research? Do you need family and friends support?

  1. Document and share

Unless your goals are documented and shared they will remain a fluid idea in your memory. Sharing your goals is a great way to hold yourself accountable and can provide you with the motivation to keep working towards what you want to achieve.

  1. ‘Just keep swimming’

So as you can expect there will be times where achieving your goals may be challenging and when you just want to give up. So in the words of Dory ‘just keep swimming’ towards achieving your vision and recall why you set your goals in the first place. Understand that the pathway to success may have it’s challenges and set backs but that is no excuse to give up.