Making New Year’s resolutions is a traditional look forward to the New Year. It’s symbolic of a new beginning, clean slate and a natural starting point. How many of us really follow through with our resolutions? Are they forgotten by the end of the month? If there are things you want to change, accomplish and master this year, you can make it happen by setting goals to help you get there.
It is important to set realistic goals for yourself, making sure that they are achievable, yet challenging. Map out the steps that will lead you to your goal and estimate a realistic timeline. Setting your own expectations will help gauge your progress.
Think about the steps you need to take to reach your ultimate goal-your New Year’s resolution, and set milestone goals that bring you one step closer! Be creative in how you get there too. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, and you know that in order to get there, one of the things you need to do is change how you eat, make a milestone goal to find and attend a cooking class that teaches low calorie cooking. Celebrate the successes of completing your milestone goals and reward your efforts-that will motivate you to keep going. Charting your progress by checking off milestone goals is another visual motivation.
When working toward a long-term goal, encouragement can go a long way. If you find encouragement motivating, share your goals with your friends and family. Share your successes with those you care about and solicit advice on milestone goals too. You may even find someone to participate in some of your activities!
You can do whatever you set your mind to and enlisting the tools to help you get there, make the journey more interesting and less of a chore! Best of luck to you in 2007, challenge yourself and become a better you!
