A new decade is right around that corner! The end of the year is one of my favorite times, because we are all planning and setting intentions to be and do better.
We know we get a "new start" and the possibilities seem greater when we dream of them at the beginning of a new year! If you're one that feels like the date January 1st is an arbitrary date
, keep reading, these tips are useful all through out the year.
Planning our goals starts with thinking about them.
First tip is to:
1. Take some time to think and imagine.
Imagine what you would do if you could do anything you wanted. Daydream. Go on social media for a little while, get inspired by people that are doing what you want to do, get off social media, and daydream again. It is said that we create things twice. First in our mind, second in realty.
It is said that we create things twice. First in our mind, second in reality.
So create your future with your imagination.
2. Attach a timeframe to it. Give it an end date.
This is so that you give up if you haven't reached it by that date. It's necessary to give yourself an end date so you know when you are "done."
"A goal without a timeline is just a dream." -Robert Herjavec
At the end of this, I'll share with you how I use that end date to help me get better and better at what I'm working at.
But let's move on to the next tip.
3. Establish with yourself your identity.
Your self-narrative about who you are matters. Remind yourself who you are.
Repeat to yourself things like:
"I am a learner."
"I am careful to finish what I start."
"I grow in love, success, and abundance everyday and I inspire others to do the same." ("The Artists Journey Steven Pressfield")
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:13
Create a motto, or a reminder, and repeat it to yourself to remind yourself who you are. Every time you review WHO you are, you re establish your identity. And humans behave based on who they believe they are. If you believe you are self-disciplined, you are more likely to be.
4. Write your goals down.
Write them every morning as if they already happened. Write them in detail. What you want and when you want it by.
If you want to start a YouTube channel, it's not enough to write, "I started a YouTube channel." Specific looks like this, "I started a YouTube channel and I post three times a week. I gained 500 new followers by May 1st, 2020."
If you are new to goal setting, there is a lot of great information on the web on how to set SM.A.R.T. goals.
Writing your goals down will help you reach them. I don't know what it is about this step, but it works.
Your subconscious doesn't care if it happened or not, it works to create the reality you keep giving it. Give it worthwhile goals and dreams.
Remember, write them down as if they already happened. To write my goals as if they already happened, I am using Rachel Hollis's "90-day-journal."
5. Create micro-goals to keep you on track.
Example, if you resolve to get in shape in 2020, write down "I will go to the gym 4 days a week."
This will help you determine if you are still on track with pursuing your goals.
Dec. 31, 2020 is a year away, how will you know if you are actually making progress?
Measure your progress.
Create benchmarks.
If you want to read 150 books, creating benchmarks would look like this, "have read 75 books by June 15th." or "read about "12-15 books a month."
As promised above, here is how I use the end date to help me get better and better.
It all comes down to your perspective on your life, and more specifically, your perspective on your personal growth journey.
You see, when you are dedicated to your personal growth, your improvement never stops. An end date is just a means to start again.
"When you are dedicated to your personal growth, your improvement never stops."
Some say don't set an end date, because if you don't reach your goal by that date then you might give up.
I say, use your end date to evaluate your progress and to celebrate!
When you've worked hard to accomplish something, you've made progress, even if you didn't reach your exact goal.
You now have a new platform from which to develop from. You are stronger, faster, and better than you were before.
Don't give up if you don't reach your goal by that specific time. Use it as a checkpoint.
Use your experience and knowledge as a starting place for the next goals you are going to set!
There you have it.
To review:
1. Take the time to let your mind dream.
2. Set goals with end dates
3. Establish your identity
4. Write your goals down
5. Create Micro-goals (and write them down)
So let's get after it guys, let's make 2020 a great year. Be intentional about your growth and service, and enjoy the process!