What is your New Year’s resolution ‘Game-Plan’ to make your goals, hopes, & dreams happen?
We all have some ideas about what we want to do this new year – even if we didn’t write it down.
Do you have a plan in place?
And I am not referring to a LIST – but an actual plan. With dates. In your calendar. Ongoing.
Let’s face it: most resolutions are TOAST by February (43% of us quit working toward NY goals by the end of January!). But what if this year could be different? What if you could create a plan that not only sets you up for success but also keeps you accountable?
Here’s a strategy that worked for me last year, and I’m doubling down on it this year.
First, PRINT out your goals and intentions. Don’t just keep them tucked away in a digital file. Make them tangible. This needn’t be a ‘fancy or long list’ – whatever you write and on whatever kind of paper you write it on is fine.
Next, break those goals down into actionable steps. If your aim is to lose weight (apparently this is a goal for over 75% of the population), for instance, outline specific tasks: plan your meals, schedule cooking times, and even identify behaviors to avoid.
Then, put everything into your calendar. Yes, I mean everything. Schedule your meal prep, cooking, and even clean-up time. Your calendar can be your best ally in this process.
Here is the strategy: Example Goal – Lose Weight
1. Break the goal down into steps. For example, create menus for your new plan; schedule when and what you will eat; make a list of behaviors and foods you will avoid (keep that list in your face); find someone to hold you accountable. Plan when and how often you will cook vs. go out for a meal. Put all this into your calendar…yes, all of it.
2. Create benchmark goals along the way as some goals take months to realize. Give yourself ‘micro-goals’ with dates. Put those into your calendar too. (Are you seeing how handy your calendar can be?)
*I just used this process to reduce my inbox the past week. Each day, I had a goal to get my inbox down to a certain number.
My steps were:
- Specific (get email inbox down by 75 each day)
- Measurable (a clear number was written down)
- Realistic (a doable about of time daily was determined and planned for)
- Achievable (it did not feel unreasonable)
- Time-bound (my goal was no old emails present by the last day of the year – there was a deadline).
3. Imagine what your life will be like when you achieve this goal! Write those thoughts down too.
Finally, don’t forget your ‘WHY.’ What drives you to achieve these goals? Write it down. Without a meaningful reason, you might find yourself chasing goals that don’t truly resonate with you.
Happy NEW YEAR!