Story by Sancia Campbell
There is a school of thought which says that “New Year resolutions are old-school and goal setting is the new do”. Experts say that up to 80% of personal resolutions fail by February, but goals because they have a defined result and can be achieved incrementally, are easier to manage over the same defined period.
Whatever your personal feelings about resolutions versus goal setting, the dawn of the new year is the time at which individuals set or activate their intentions for the new year. However, if you plan to achieve those critical milestones in 2022, here are six tips for goal setting and winning in 2022.
WRITE IT DOWN
Chances are if your goals are not written down, they will be forgotten and therefore stand a strong chance of failing. When goals are written down, they can be checked periodically to assess the progress and adjustments can be made where necessary.
USE THE S.M.A.R.T METHOD
Just as businesses design goals using the SMART method i.e. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound, in the same way, individuals must use this blueprint to set their personal goals. When goals are properly defined and divided into achievable pieces, with timelines, they are much easier to accomplish.
CREATE GOALS FOR DIFFERENT AREAS OF YOUR LIFE
Goals were never meant to be lumped into one big pile. Create goals for your finances. You could resolve to save more, pay down debt or start a new investment. Some individuals resolve to spend more time with family or eat healthier; think about what you want to achieve and place them in the correct categories
GET AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER
Try as we may, some of us are just not innately motivated. We need that community around us to remind us about our set goals and to check on us to ensure that we are achieving within set timelines. Engage someone who will not berate or judge you for missing a milestone but rather will encourage you to celebrate each small step and your willingness
DON’T SET TOO MANY GOALS AT ONCE
If you are a first-timer or procrastinator, don’t set too many goals at once. You could be setting up yourself for disappointment especially if things don’t go as planned. Accomplishing one goal, or goals in smaller chunks at a time can help to boost your confidence and motivate you to push for more.