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Goal setting isn't just for January, says Andrena Sawyer, and this is a good time to course correct if you are drifting away from your New Year intentionsA recent study by the University of Scranton suggests that only 8% of people actually achieve their goals. It is no wonder then that despite the fact that millions of people around the world resolve to achieve a goal on January 1st each year, by February 1st many have either lost focus or grown discouraged by the seeming lack of progress. The tradition of setting New Year's resolutions dates back at least four millennia.
The concept is simple—before the end of the preceding year, one identifies way to make the upcoming year their best year yet. Common goals include health and wellness development, improved financial responsibility and stewardship, relationship management, career and professional goals, and overall self-improvement.
One would think that after 4,000 years, the process of achieving results should have been perfected. However, without proper guidance, anyone can easily end up as one of the 92% percent of people who fail at achieving their goals.
To improve your chances of success, consider these three keys:
1) Unsuccessful Goals are Goals that are not S.M.A.R.T.
It's not that people who set resolutions are unintelligent, but people often fail to set S.M.A.R.T. goals—goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. An effective goal is a well-thought-out goal. It takes into consideration context, which includes resources, urgency and manageability. Setting a goal to lose weight is a seemingly good goal because it's genuine and practical. However, it lacks specificity. There is no built-in management system or urgency. How does one know if they are successful? Is it after they have lost a pound, or twenty pounds? A much better goal might be losing twenty pounds in four months. There is a sense of urgency and a built-in incentive and accountability system, which leads to the next point.
2) Ineffective Goals Lack an Incentive and Accountability System
I often tell my clients that the goal-setting process is cyclical. I recommend the following steps:
Many make the major mistake of ending the goal-setting process at step 3. However, effective goal-setting uses steps 1-3 as a catalyst for incremental changes. When specific goals are achieved, that serves as a way to build motivation and momentum for future success with greater goals. When goals are not met, step 4 provides an opportunity to evaluate where things went wrong, and how the process can be improved for future goals.
3) Reframing Perspective is Mandatory
Every successful fitness coach will tell their client that improving their health requires a lifestyle change. Similarly, I tell my clients that consistently achieving their goals requires a deep and intrinsic change in perspective. Goal-setting should not just be reserved for December 31st each year. Individuals that set the most effective goals are those that take on the challenge of permanently acquiring the skills that it takes to set good goals—commitment, perseverance and resilience. In order to develop these skills, our goal-setting muscles must be continuously strengthened.
To increase your chances of actually achieving your goals this year, be sure to take these tips into consideration. Here's to making 2015 your best year yet!
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