Happy HAPPY New Year. 2012...........it's exciting. I feel super upbeat...this year already feels good. Just the way the start of new things always do. Clean start, blank slate!!
Timeout to take stock
So have you taken time to re assess? ......looked forward to the New Year and made some good goals / intentions.....deciding what 2012 should have in store for you? I usually make a huge list, scatter myself, feel stressed, achieve 5% and feel deflated afterwards. So this time i’m doing it differently, i’ve listened to the way you are supposed to do things (not something i’m fond of) and tailored it to me. We’re all different....unique. There are tried and tested methods...frameworks that can be utilised, however the structure and tailoring comes down to you, what works for you...the individual. Apart from making them SMART (tried and tested method......see below) and to give time to think each one through to make sure you can actually imagine completing them, visualising the end result, here are some of my tips I shall be using for the coming year....but first.....
Why Make Goals
In 1979, interviewers asked new graduates from the Harvard’s MBA Program “Have you set clear, written goals for your future and made plans to accomplish them?”
In 1979, interviewers asked new graduates from the Harvard’s MBA Program “Have you set clear, written goals for your future and made plans to accomplish them?”
and found that :
- 84% had no specific goals at all
- 13% had goals but they were not committed to paper
- 3% had clear, written goals and plans to accomplish them
In 1989, the interviewers again interviewed the graduates of that class and found that:
- The 13% of the class who had goals were earning, on average, twice as much as the 84 percent who had no goals at all.
- Even more staggering – the three percent who had clear, written goals were earning, on average, ten times as much as the other 97 percent put together.
This is just one example. It’s definitely not all about making money, this is one example of the financial goals (how they determined success)…but it just shows. Once you know what you want. Goals help you get there.
Common Mistakes
In a nut shell, making too many goals and so scattering your focus. Delivery needs focus and energy input. Having too much to do and a mountain to climb is off putting from the start. Better to achieve some goals and add to it than to stay sat on the starting line. Although I like to be 'everywhere' doing 'everything', I am a go getter with a quick launch and just as quick abort......I know this. I like to feel free, don't want to be held down although I want to achieve a lot. So what works for me is to set goals and scribble out steps towards them that don't seem too big to put me off before I start, and don't feel restrictive. Because with most things, once you start...baby steps.....it's momentum....it creates big snowballs!!
Picking goals you don’t REALLY want. Maybe you think you should achieve something, or you're just not sure yet. If you haven’t achieved something you think you want sit down and give some time to thinking about why. Maybe you don’t really want it. What would you LOVE to achieve......what is it that excites you? What do you think of and talk about? What do you spend your money on?
What Works
I followed the SMART way this time. I made them much more realistic...and cross checked them with the boy who is SUPER realistic (or pesimistic.......or sensible....i'm not sure).
It's a great idea to break the goals or intentions down into areas i.e. Health, Wealth, Career, Relationships, Development, Travel. Pick the categories you think are best for you.
This year I also started with an action step straight away. Take immediate action, start the ball rolling, cement the intent and the change in your mind!! Whenever I am on a shopping trip, I find that if I buy something in the first 30-45 minutes, it always sets the tone for the rest of the trip and then i’m on a roll. If not I stall and get shopping block, I am out of flow and my bank balance heavier than my would be bags! My brother told me today that you shouldn't make a goal unless you are doing it or taking a step towards the goal at the time. It makes sense.......so this time I started taking action on the goals straight away. I also thought what it would feel like not to achieve the goals and the stress of leaving things to the last minute. Much better to take consistent small steps. You get there..........you fall off the wagon and get back on and before you know it you're there. Taking even a small action makes the commitment much more real in your mind and will dramatically make it more likely you will follow through on your larger goals.
Here's a snapshot of my goals / intentions which I shall reassess and share throughout the year.
Health
· One green drink a week (this can be green smoothie or green drink which is juice and dried greens such as spirulina, chlorella and barley grass) I started immediately and had a green drink on the 1st and 2nd...result for this week!
· I quit sugar Sarah Wilson challenge (I have been on the quitting sugar for a few years now and have really set the ball in motion, this is the next step....maybe you can start with something small like to start looking ways in which to substitute and make better choices)
· 30 minutes exercise 5 times per week (I pick any exercise I feel like, I love in fact such as swimming, walking, zumba class, yoga, dance....whatever rocks my boat)
· 20 minutes of active relaxation a day 5 times per week (whether this is sitting still, listening to some relaxing music, being mindful and just observing my breath). Just having this intention in mind and being aware of it is enough to prompt and serve as a reminder to sit still and shut up for 20 mins!
Development
· Start a study course in 2012
· Learn some guitar songs (I have had a guitar for about 2 years now, am going to learn one song per month, that's 12 over the year!)
· Learn some more Afrikaans (read one Afrikaans book and watch 2 Afrikaans movies)
Measure
Now you need to review. I have added a reminder in my phone to review at the end of every month and I have a notebook with my goals in to doodle and make notes. I also have a flip calendar with stickys on for things I need to get done for the month,. ACTION ACTION ACTION!!! Of course there is also the chance of falling off the wagon and staying down.....fear not, I have an article prepared for that!!
Goals vs Intentions
Goals are set achievables which are obvious once achieved (like spring cleaning the house every 6 months). Intentions are a little more relaxed......something to be aware of and consciously moving towards. Such as 'I intend to spend more time in nature'. Having this as a goal i.e. I want to go to the country twice a month is just too damn demanding and restrictive for me. However just having the intention and keeping that a focus is sometimes enough to start a shift. Just think, if a plane were to steer just 2 degrees from it's course continuously.....it would end in a much different place to where it intended......baby steps!! It's all it takes.
Make it work for you. And take it easy.......it's all good whatever......taking each day at a time and living it up is what's really important.
Conclusion
Write your goals out, place them somewhere you can see them or write them in a note book, carry it around with you and refer to it and make notes about your progress / ideas / lessons etc...
Write your goals out in a SMART fashion...........
S - Specific
M - Measureable
A - Attainable
R - Realistic
T - Timely
Break the goals down into small steps, or at least think of the first steps you need to take and by what date. Find a friend to to it with you!!
Did you review for the New Year? Have you set any goals for the year?
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