New Year, New Beginnings: Are Your SMART Goals Ready?
SMART is an acronym that represents a set of criteria often used for goal-setting. Specific, Measurable, Achievable Relevant Time-Bound
Take a swift look at what actions you might be neglecting when formulating your annual resolutions, actions that could be jeopardizing your pursuit of a purposeful existence. Despite our awareness of the necessary steps, many of us stumble in our endeavors. Why does this happen?
When we are truly committed to achieving something significant, thorough preparation becomes a norm. Whether it's for a wedding, a vacation, or an innovative concept, extensive planning is crucial. However, hastily setting resolutions in the throes of excitement is a recipe for failure.
Utilize December to declutter your mind and lay the groundwork for success. Live with your goals for a month before solidifying them. Drawing from my experience guiding numerous individuals in achieving their goals, I've compiled ten essential points for evaluating why your goals might not be yielding results.
1. Lean into it Remember
"The trial period before purchasing a product is essential, and similarly, before committing to a long-term goal, it's crucial to test it out. Understand potential stumbling blocks in advance, as knowing what challenges lie ahead is more critical than defining the goal itself. I plan to learn golfing next year, so I'm currently planning where to go, how to learn, and budgeting for it."
2. Customize your goals to align with your lifestyle.
Take into account your daily routine and preferences when establishing objectives. For instance, I've chosen to pursue a hobby in golf while concurrently managing my YouTube channel. Although our minds have a tendency to criticize deviations from societal norms, it's crucial to avoid succumbing to illogical excuses that hinder us from pursuing certain activities. Instead, make decisions based on personal preferences rather than seeking external approval. For example, dividing my day to manage both my new career and hobby contributes to recreation, making it an essential and worthwhile endeavor.
3. Avoid starting all goals on the same day While January 1st is an appealing start date, view willpower as a muscle that needs gradual strengthening. Begin with small changes, like cutting out sugar, and progressively add more challenges. This approach helps build up your willpower over time, preventing a January 7th collapse and blaming the resolutions for failure.
4. Shape your environment to align with your goals Don't surround yourself with temptations conflicting with your goals. If you aim to give up sweets, minimize the presence of cakes and chocolates in your fridge to reduce the risk of succumbing to cravings.
5. Establish supporting, smaller goals Create pillars or supporting goals to reinforce your larger resolution. For example, if weight loss is your main goal, assign someone to prepare salads at home, ensuring healthier alternatives are readily available.
6. Find an accountability partner Partner with someone sharing the same goal to support each other's progress. Daily check-ins and progress tracking through messages can significantly boost your chances of success.
7. Avoid restarting Permit yourself to falter but refrain from giving up entirely. Failure is acceptable, but quitting is not. Don't strive for perfection; aim to live with your goal most of the time, maintaining a 90 percent success rate.
8. Don't unnecessarily complicate the journey Don't impose additional challenges on yourself. Trying to adhere to a strict diet during a wedding or responding to emails on a holiday can lead to unnecessary struggles and emotional distress. Opt for enjoyable approaches, as they tend to be more sustainable.
9. Publicize your goal within a supportive community Share your goals with people who believe in you and provide positive reinforcement. Utilize the fear of disappointing others, especially those who appreciate you, to your advantage.
10. Understand your motivation (Know your why!) Identify the reason behind your goal, as it plays a crucial role in staying on track when facing challenges. Revisit your initial excitement by reminding yourself of the destination you envisioned
These are principles tailored to my personality type that have proven effective for me. Feel free to discard any that don't resonate with you.
No more excuses—let's take action now!
Love
Deepanshi Arora
