Ruts are hard to get out of. You get in one and by the time you realize it, you’ve become that gerbil on the wheel, always running nowhere.
That is one of the things I love the best about New Years! It’s a new chance to start again and start fresh.
That’s what resolutions are all about. I read today ““Setting goals takes desires, completing them takes determination!” We all have desires, but how much determination do you really and truly have?
How do I want to enter that next phase of life? What are the things I want to take forward with me at the end of 2019 and what do I have to do to get there?
I believe that “New Year’s Resolution Haters” are picking goals they feel they “ought” to do, that they “should” complete. I, however, choose goals that fulfill me, that push me toward my personal vision, that both challenge and motivate me, propelling me toward my own definition of success. In short, I have yearly goals that mattered. And on top of that, I have a plan.
This isn’t about making a list. This is about taking a chance! This, is your chance to start your year with focus and purpose!
A few tips:
- Pick things you actually WANT to spend time on. Choose from your passion. Some do better with a visual reminder, if that’s you – look into creating a vision board!
- Make those goals SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. Choosing goals that are both ambitious and attainable.
- Make sure your “why” is also specific! It’s often this “why” that is going to push you through the hard times.
- Choose at least some goals that can be finished quickly. Compare this to Dave Ramsey’s snowball effect- let the momentum of completing a few goals propel you into the others.
- Break goals down into smaller portions. What needs to be finished each quarter, month, week in order for you to achieve your goal by the end of the year? Write the list in your calendar. SCHEDULE the time to work on your goals, or it won’t get done!
- Find community. Studies show that weight loss is more significant when done in with an accountability group. Why wouldn’t that pertain to your career goals as well? (And if you can’t find an established group, create one!)
- Create a little wall of positivity around you. Cut out all negative self-talk. Look for what you are doing right, instead of what you do wrong. No comparisons to others allowed! Choose gratitude, even if it’s just one thing. Forgive yourself and let go of regrets.
- When you hit a wall, don’t stop! Look for ways to get around the obstacles.
- Celebrate every single success! Did you get 3 tasks out of 12 completed? Then you are 3 steps closer to your goal!
You built that rut by getting stuck, doing the same thing over and over.
Getting out that rut means you need to do something different. Change things up. If you are feeling “stuck,” make one move. It doesn’t even have to be fancy or earth-shattering. Look into new and different directions, and open your eyes to new possibilities!
Check out my “Setting Goals and Actually Achieving Them” class! You’ll be so glad you did!
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