January 1…Set Those Goals.

We’re just a few hours into 2013.  Happy New Year.  Now is the best time to forgive yourself for everything you did not accomplish in the last year.  Let’s look toward the future.

You don’t always need a date or time to start that thing that you want to accomplish, but some people do…and what better time than a new year.

Whether your goal is to be smarter financially, lose some weight, take more time for yourself, get better grades in school, get and stay organized, reconnect with old friendships…here are my 6 1/2 suggestions on how to achieve the goals that you want!

1. These are GOALS, not new years resolutions – Notice how up until that last sentence, I never used that term.  While the new year can be a great motivator, it should not be your reason for wanting to make change.  What happens too often, is people hit the second week of January and say “well, I’m already off track, I might as well give up.”  Goals are meant to change and be adjusted to fit your life.  You can use the new year as a time to make change, but remember that change that can happen at anytime.

2.  Be Specific – Being specific about your goal leads to the most success.  Look at your overall goal and think about what it is that you want to achieve.

3. Make it Measurable – Now you know what you want to achieve and how you will do it.  The next step is to give yourself a tool to measure that you have achieved it.

4. Ensure your goals are Attainable and Realistic – Setting a goal is something that we do when we want to make positive changes in our lives.  Setting attainable and realistic goals will ensure our success.  Unattainable and unrealistic goals will not be achieved and will leave us discouraged when we inevitably fail at achieving them.

5. Make sure it is Time-Bound – You’ll need to set a date so that you’ll know when you have to re-evaluate your goals and also when you have achieved them.

6. Write it down – You want to see your goal at least once everyday.  Put it somewhere that you will see it.  In your closet, on your bathroom mirror, as the wallpaper on your cellphone.  Being reminded of your commitment to yourself will ensure that you achieve what you set out to do.

6 1/2. Don’t be upset if you don’t achieve or have a setback.  That’s life.  Take it in.  Try to understand why it happend…and move on.

Please contact me if you want to know more about setting goals, achieving your best or making 2013 your best yet!

Wishing you all the best for a happy and healthy new year.