How to Set New Years Goals You Can Actually Achieve

How to Set New Years Goals You Can Actually Achieve

January 2019 (WHAT?!) is upon us and 'tis the season for reviewing 2018 and setting your goals for 2019. Everyone's homes are different but in the Evans home, January 1st was always accompanied with a trip to Del Taco to put on our final few pounds and resolve to loose them that year and of course to set other goals that we hoped to achieve the upcoming year. Unfortunately, as we looked back at the ending year we were usually disappointed to find that we had only reached a handful of our goals. I always remember being so discouraged and frankly completely turned off to the idea of setting more goals that I knew I would forget in a couple weeks. As I have grown up I've learned how to set better goals for me that I can actually achieve. Now, I won't say I reach them all, because that would be lying, but I believe that I have figured out a couple ways that make it much more attainable for me. Let's talk about a couple of those ways!

1. Have one large goal and break it into smaller goals that will help you achieve that larger goal.

Okay, this is not new, BUT it really works for me. Lets take one of my goals this year and use it as an example. The large goal for me would be, "READ 12 BOOKS THIS YEAR". Okay, now hold on Einstein, I know what you are going to say; "That goal is NOT Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, or Time-specific (SMART goals)." You are totally right. Initially I don't love to set up my "large" goal up like that, and I will tell you what I do instead. I like to break my big goals into 90 day goals or 3 month goals. I would much rather deal in 3 month sections than be overwhelmed by a whole year. Next I take my "large" goal and start breaking it down. If I want to read 12 books this year, what do I have to do from January-March to reach that goal? Here's where my goals start getting more "SMART". I would phrase my 90 day goal like this, "In January, February, and March I will read one book a month starting on the 1st and finishing by the 30th (or 31st)." You could even take it a step further and break it down month by month. The reason I format my goals this way is so that at the end of the 90 days I like to sit down and revisit my goals and adjust if need be. At the end of March there is still time to renew your goal and adjust it and not feel bad about yourself for not reaching your goal. It's a good chance to reevaluate, adjust, and even, maybe, recognize some wins you have made!

2. Put up reminders somewhere you look everyday so that it doesn't slip away from you.

Growing up, I would hang my goal paper up in a closed desk cabinet door, or behind a linen closet door in the bathroom. I totally regret that. Hang your goals somewhere where you will look at them everyday! Like your bathroom mirror, above your office desk, frame them and hang them for all I care! Whatever is going to work for you! Not only do I hang my goals, but I like to accompany them with a good ole' affirmation, because who doesn't need to hear that you are smart, kind, or beautiful enough to accomplish anything? There is an extreme power in self- talk. Don't believe me? Go watch this AMAZING TED Talk by Basit Rashid called "How You Are Killing Your Dreams (Self Talk). Click HERE for that video!

3. Do NOT Overwhelm Yourself with Too Many Goals

When I was young I would set 3-4 goals in every aspect of my life (education, fitness, personal, etc...). This is a big part of why I break down my goals into 90 day goals. If I set 3-4 goals in maybe 4-5 different aspects of my like I'm juggling up to 20 goals in 12 months. It takes 90 days to establish an action as a habit. Not only that, but in "The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg (HIGHLY recommend this book) he focuses his ideas around the habit loop which is the idea that to create a habit there has to be a cue, leading to a routine, that results in a reward. 

To create a habit we have to set up a cue (note on mirror) that results in a routine (saying your affirmations and opening that book) that therefore results in the reward (self-esteem boost, slimmer body, knowledge, whatever it is for you). If I were trying to do this with 20 different goals in twelve months I think my brain might explode. 

Okay, now, is this the only right way to set goals? NO. I'm sharing what has worked for me, but I have to admit that I am constantly changing what works and adapting to the goal or situation, and that is totally okay. I'm a firm believer that equations only yield the same answers in math. Everyone's equations are going to be different and will yield different results, and that is the beauty of individuality and the world we live in. 

Do you have a way you set goals for the New Years?! We would love to hear it, comment below!! Happy New Years from Living 48 Real Estate Team.

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