Goal Setting Guide For 2016

Goal setting is popular this time of year, but many resolutions are forgotten months or even weeks after the New Year. The reason why so many New Year’s resolutions fail isn’t typically because of lack of motivation; it’s because of ineffective goal setting. Forbes Magazine states “many people want to inspire themselves to become better but don’t for two reasons: they don’t know what to do and they don’t know how to do it.”

Below you’ll find a few steps to creating a goal-setting plan for 2016. Don’t let New Year’s pass before you take some time to prepare for your next fresh start.

1. Think about where you’ve been

To begin, start by remembering all the positive things that happened in 2015. Think about where you’ve come and what you’ve achieved. Start from a place of thankfulness rather than discontentment. By remembering the good, you stir up hope for what this next year will bring rather than dread.

2. Think about where you want to go

Try thinking about what you want to be feeling or remembering this time next year. Allow yourself to dream a little. What could 2016 look like for you? Think about what you can accomplish or make movement toward this next year. Simply allowing yourself to visualize your dreams moving forward often gives you the courage to take the first step.

3. Identify some areas in your life you want to improve

Take some time to list the areas in your life that need improvement. Maybe you want to improve your health or enhance your resume by getting some more experience. List 3-8 things you want to improve this year – any more than that and you’ll probably end up overwhelmed and feeling like a failure.

4. Talk about how you’re going to do that, i.e. what’s your strategy?

Now it’s time to get practical. Start by identifying the first thing that would have to happen in order to reach each goal. If you selected improve your health, the first thing for you may be getting a gym membership or purchasing running shoes. From there you can start to list the next steps, no matter how simple they may sound. The more practical, the better.

5. Identify who/what can help you get there

Oftentimes it’s helpful to identify people with experience in the areas of improvement you’ve listed or some sort of resource to study. Somehow it makes the goal seem more attainable when you look to people who have gone before you. Do your research and find people to keep you motivated and educated as you seek to make progress this year.

6. Develop a check-in system

Lastly, develop a check-in system for yourself to help track your progress. Select a few times throughout the year that you can revaluate and see where you need to pick up the pace or make changes. Taking time to review your goals is vital to moving forward; it helps you keep the end in sight!

I hope you feel inspired to enter into 2016 prepared and ready to take advantage of this fresh start! Prepare well so you make it for the long haul this year. Come July you may find you’re on track to meet your goals instead of wondering what resolution you made in the first place. Happy New Year everyone!