7 Tips for Setting Great Goals in 2019...

1. Make time for reflection.

As we head into 2019, now is the ideal time to give yourself some quiet reflection time to think about what’s gone well, how you have progressed over the last year and where you’d like to focus your efforts next year. 

Be strict, put down your phone and turn off the TV - schedule in an hour or so to unplug and reflect properly. You’ll feel energised when you reflect on your successes and have more clarity on how you could achieve your goals in the coming year and beyond.

One of the big reasons why we feel that we don’t move forward is because we don’t focus on the right things for us…we just choose something that is a spur of the moment whim!

2. Focus on realistic goals and don’t set your expectations to high.

If you look at the research on new year’s resolutions, you’ll see that only around 10% of them actually get achieved. The majority of us don’t stick to our resolutions because they’re a bit woolly, too ambitious and unrealistic. So, what happens, we give up and forget about them by the end of January!

Instead of setting expectations that are just too high, we should focus on creating realistic goals that are simple and have a measure of success – that way we can see results and reward ourselves for good progress. You’ll notice small, quality changes that will motivate you to stay focused and do more. 

You might have heard about SMART goals before – Making them specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. It’s a bit old school now, so don’t get too hung up on it, but it’s a good way to check what you’re setting yourself as a focus is actually reasonable.

3. Make your goals visible.

The physical act of writing down a goal makes it real and much easier to focus on. Use action words like "I will" not "I would like to," or "I might", or “I’ll try to”.

The “I will” statement has much more power and it’s easier to see yourself achieving it.

Post your written goals in visible places to remind yourself every day of what you are working towards.  Put them on your walls, desk, computer monitor or fridge as a constant reminder. Support your goals with pictures of what success looks like too – a photo of you at target weight, a picture of the house you’ll buy when you’ve increased your savings or a family photo to remind you why changing your habits are so important! You have to visualise the success and how it feels when you actually achieve it!

4. Embrace the change journey and change habits. 

Making a change and stretching our comfort zone is what makes working towards new goals tricky. Over the years we have built habits that influence what we do, how we act and how we behave. Some of those habits are good (like cleaning your teeth), some we need to break (watching too much TV) and sometimes we need to create new ones (choosing something healthy to eat or going to the gym!). There is a commonly banded theory that a habit can be changed or created in 21 days. But it’s a personal journey. Some simple habits can be created in that time, but in reality, research suggests it’s nearer to 66 days +. Change takes time.

Ask for support from your friends and family and explain to them why it’s important to you to achieve your goal. It’s amazing the impact that sharing your goals out-loud can have on success.

5. Get organised.

Getting organised means that you begin to eliminate excuses and make things easier for yourself to be successful. Why not try getting up just 20 minutes earlier each day to give yourself time to plan the day, clarify your goals and think about how you’ll achieve them in the day ahead. 

20 minutes might also give you much needed time to buy or prepare a healthier lunch, get the dinner prepared for later in the day or take a walk around the block to get some exercise in – It gives you a little time to prepare, plan or work towards those all-important goals!

6. Plan for blockers.

Don’t get disheartened by blockers and barriers. Life is life and sometimes things get in the way of our positive intentions. Don’t give up the first time you face an obstacle. Just use your 20 minutes the following day to reflect, re-plan and refocus.

7. Don’t expect immediate results. 

Losing weight, saving money, or starting up your own business won’t happen overnight. It could take months, maybe years, to reach these goals, just remember to break your goals down into manageable chunks and keep reflecting on progress.

Instead of being impatient, be persistent, and passionate. Learn from your mistakes, keep building your skills, track your progress, and keep rewarding and recognising yourself for a job well done!

Good luck with your goals! 

If you’d like some help with goal setting, personal, life, career or business coaching, you can check out www.inspireignite.net, like us on Facebook @inspireignitetalent, follow us Instagram @inspireignite or Twitter @inspiredignited.