Many people set goals for the New Year every single year, but often don't do it the right way. It doesn't require a whole lot of thinking to set a goal, you pretty much just pick something out that you'd like to do and then either tell someone or say it to yourself. Simple, right?
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But how many people actually attain the goals they set?
Not too many.
92% of all New Year's goals fail. WOW! To me that signifies something definitely wrong here.
I think it's the way we're setting goals.
It's not that we're incapable of achieving our aspirations. But we're going about it the wrong way.
So we've compiled a helpful list of what it really takes to achieve your goals.
Your Goal for the New Year needs to be:
Attainable
Setting wild goals that would basically take a miracle to see them come to fruition is setting yourself up for failure from the get go. When you set attainable goals you're much more likely to meet them instead of be overwhelmed by them. I love to sing, but I don't have a great singing voice. So as much as I've wanted to be a singer in the past, it's not an attainable goal for me.
This doesn't mean you can't dream big, but make sure you're being reasonable.
Realistic
Of course I believe you should always go after your dreams. But I also believe in being realistic. For example, I'm don't think I have what it takes to be a doctor. I mean, I'm smart, but maybe not doctor smart. Plus it would take years and years of schooling, and at this stage in my life, I don't think I could take the time and put forth the effort it would take to achieve a goal like that. (Plus the fact that I don't want to, but this is just an example.) 🙂
Planned
A goal without a plan is just a wish. When you set a goal that you hope to achieve, it's not as simple as just plucking a wish out of thin air and claiming it. That's what most people do. But a true goal needs a plan, actual steps of how you're going to achieve this feat.
Written
I've always been one to write things down. Everything from grocery lists and daily to do lists to long term projects , hopes and dreams. People with written goals are 50% more likely to achieve them.
I think having a goal book is important. It not only helps you keep track of what you're working on, but includes your plans on how you're going to achieve that goal. Not only that, but it lets you reflect on how you do from year to year. You can go back through your goal book and see what you accomplished, what you didn't. Then you can either see where you went wrong or celebrate your success.
Have any tips of your own to share on how to set goals for the New Year? We'd love to hear them! Leave your ideas in the comments below.
