Getting Clear on Setting Goals

Along with every new year comes the commitment to make changes. We evaluate what we’ve done in the past and determine how we will best conquer the upcoming year. When it comes to setting goals, here are a few things to consider when designing your intention for the year to come.

1. Contemplate your values. Consider what is truly important to you, what do you want to focus on for the new year-relationships, health, financial status, career, spiritual growth? When you are clear about your values it makes it easier to spend time and energy pursuing the goals surrounding them.

2. Get very specific about what you want. Rather than saying you want to ‘eat healthier,’ hone in on exactly what you mean. Define the precise things you want to change about your current habits. Do you want to dine at home 6 nights/week, eat 4 vegetable servings daily, eliminate snacking before bed, eat 100% gluten free? Outline 2-3 things you will focus on to specify your exact goal.

3. Create space. As part of your goal setting process, decide how you will carve out space daily to accomplish your goals. Consider time wasted on unproductive activities such as social media, surfing the internet, or vegging in front of the tube. You may have to wake up a little earlier or say no to committing to things that are not moving you toward your purpose. Creating the daily space will ensure you are real about your intentions.

4. Create mini-goals. Goals that feel too far from where you currently are quickly lose their appeal. Break down your larger objective into smaller mini goals. They can be daily, weekly, or monthly. Then you can focus on meeting a more attainable goal. They should be challenging, but on the direct path to your larger plan.

5. Develop a game plan. Write your goals and mini-goals in specific details and keep them in a place where you can see them regularly. Get creative-use pictures and positive words, and tell the people close to you. This will be beneficial in keeping you accountable.

6. Be flexible. Use your goal to guide you, but be open to new paths toward your intention. Obstacles and detours are a natural part of change and provide important learning opportunities. When you are patient and gentle with yourself, you’ll discover creative solutions that help you grow beyond anything you could have imagined.  

This new year is an open slate. You have the opportunity to create and mold it into whatever you want it to be. Take the time to design your plan, and then execute it, and you will feel like you can conquer anything. . We evaluate what we’ve done in the past and determine how we will best conquer the upcoming year. When it comes to setting goals, here are a few things to consider when designing your intention for the year to come.

1. Contemplate your values. Consider what is truly important to you, what do you want to focus on for the new year-relationships, health, financial status, career, spiritual growth? When you are clear about your values it makes it easier to spend time and energy pursuing the goals surrounding them.

2. Get very specific about what you want. Rather than saying you want to ‘eat healthier,’ hone in on exactly what you mean. Define the precise things you want to change about your current habits. Do you want to dine at home 6 nights/week, eat 4 vegetable servings daily, eliminate snacking before bed, eat 100% gluten free? Outline 2-3 things you will focus on to specify your exact goal.

3. Create space. As part of your goal setting process, decide how you will carve out space daily to accomplish your goals. Consider time wasted on unproductive activities such as social media, surfing the internet, or vegging in front of the tube. You may have to wake up a little earlier or say no to committing to things that are not moving you toward your purpose. Creating the daily space will ensure you are real about your intentions.

4. Create mini-goals. Goals that feel too far from where you currently are quickly lose their appeal. Break down your larger objective into smaller mini goals. They can be daily, weekly, or monthly. Then you can focus on meeting a more attainable goal. They should be challenging, but on the direct path to your larger plan.

5. Develop a game plan. Write your goals and mini-goals in specific details and keep them in a place where you can see them regularly. Get creative-use pictures and positive words, and tell the people close to you. This will be beneficial in keeping you accountable.

6. Be flexible. Use your goal to guide you, but be open to new paths toward your intention. Obstacles and detours are a natural part of change and provide important learning opportunities. When you are patient and gentle with yourself, you’ll discover creative solutions that help you grow beyond anything you could have imagined.