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New Years Resolution’s

(3 Simple Steps of What to do Instead)

This year, like any other year, many will say Happy New Year to each other and then come up with a New Years resolution that months later, and sometimes even a day later, has been completely neglected or forgotten about. When remembered, it can either produce laughter or shame resulting in yet another year passing by with either the same resolution or forgetting about it and coming up with something completely different. If this first paragraph speaks to you then please read on as I would like to suggest a more intentional approach to getting what you are hoping to get done this year in a healthier and more productive way.

Step 1: Be intentional and not impulsive.

Often times, we might have the best intentions of setting a New Years resolution, however, most of the time it appears as if these good intentions are impulsively made in the moment without much thought of the work it will take or if it’s even a reasonable resolution. Rather than be impulsive and setting yourself up for failure or disappointment when you break your resolution, maybe consider a more methodical approach to resolutions and realize it might just be your brains way of saying I need order in my possibly out of control life. One of the best ways to do this is by setting intentional goals.

Step 2: Intentional Goal Setting.

If your going to get away from the impulsive and unrealistic New Years resolution then maybe it’s time to consider intentionally setting up an intentional goal. And while you’re at it, how about going up the next level and setting up more than one goal and develop some personal life and business goals in order for you to begin accomplishing personal excellence in your life. Here are 3 ways to begin intentionally goal setting.

1. Just do it: The best way to write goals is to simply sit down and dream a little. Put down your hopes and dreams of what you’d like to accomplish, both big and small.
2. Create a tentative timeline of when you’d like your goals to be accomplished. I often recommend setting up 1-year goals, 2-5-year goals and then 5 to 10-year goals. If your really feeling bold then also include your BHAG goal as well. BHAG stands for Big Hairy Audacious Goal. In other words, this is the ultimate goal that if accomplished you would sit back when this goal was accomplished and either celebrate this momentous accomplishment or sit back in awe in amazement that the BHAG goal was actually achieved.
3. Re-look at your goals and get more specific with them. A common practice for goal setting is to use the S.M.A.R.T. system of achieving goals. S=specific, M=measurable, A=achievable, R=relevant, and T=time-based. 

Step 3: Keep the Goals in front of you.

Now that you’ve taken the time to write out your goals make sure there either in front of you or easily accessible for you to view. You might put your goals on the fridge or in your room or place them on your smart phone for easy accessibility. Review your goals often and don’t be afraid to add to your list if you get inspired. Allow yourself to restructure some of your goals if you realize that your 1-year goal might be better fit in the 2-5-year category, etc…

Writing goals is not about perfection or condemning yourself if a goal is not going to happen as soon as you thought it would. It’s about being purposeful in allowing yourself to create a vision for your future that you desire to walk into. Yearly traditions, such as NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS, create an impulsive and sometimes shallow decision-making process that may be preventing the greatness that is bursting in you to get out and accomplish great things and have NEW LIFE.