The start of the year is a popular time for many people to begin self-improvement projects, take courses and learn new skills, incorporate healthier habits, and quit habits that are no longer serving them. However, only about half of people who make New Year’s resolutions end up sticking with them after February. If you’re one of these people, why not try leaving behind resolutions and setting goals instead?
Establishing goals for the new year has many benefits over setting resolutions:
- Goals can be easier to pick back up if you feel you’ve dropped the ball.
- Goals are more specific and personalized, and can also make it easier to measure progress and make adjustments accordingly.
- Specific - Make sure your goal consists of more than, “I want to save money,” “I want to lose weight,” or “I want to get promoted at work.” Clarity is key!
- Measurable - Have an amount or frequency (weekly, monthly, etc.) of consistent actions related to your goal, so you can see your progress and feel more encouraged to continue on your path.
- Achievable - Break down your goals into smaller steps to help make them more attainable.
- Reasonable - Consider whether or not other people’s involvement, your finances, or time restrictions may impact your ability to achieve your goal. For example, if your goal is to buy a home by the end of the year, first evaluate whether or not you’re able to save enough money within the time frame you’ve set for your goal based on your current savings and income.
- Timely - Create a time frame for your goal to help you stay motivated so that your goal remains a priority.
- Think Big - Choose one overarching goal to work toward.
- Act Small - Map out the steps needed to achieve the goal.
- Move Quick - Setting a time frame by which to accomplish your goal can help you stay focused, but try not to place too much pressure on yourself with a too tight or inflexible deadline.