80% of people give up on their goals for the New Year by February.
Surprising, isn’t it? Indeed.
This can be attributed to several factors, including an absence of specificity in goals, misalignment with core values, non-conducive environment, inflexibility and lack of motivation and rewards. After the first month, the novelty is gone and so is the encouragement to stay on track with the goals. You may tend to feel overwhelmed and thus, miss the expected target.
But, all hope is not lost for there are multiple ways to set achievable goals for the new year. Let us look at some of the tips for solid goal-setting, below.
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Define SMART goals
Use the SMART goals framework to succeed in your chosen objectives. It stands for: - Specific - Define your objective with great clarity.
- Measurable - Benchmark the goal against a set of fixed metrics.
- Achievable - Ensure that the goal is realistic enough, according to the resources and traits you possess.
- Relevant - Check if the goal aligns with your bigger/long-term objectives in life
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Time-bound - Establish a realistic deadline to keep yourself answerable.
A good instance of a SMART goal is “I will participate and fulfil a 3K run in under 30 minutes by training four times a week for the next 60 days”. It is specific as there is clarity and precision, which focuses on finishing a 5K run in under 30 minutes. Progress can be measured by tracking run times and observing improvements over time. It is achievable since the goal becomes feasible with consistent practice. It is relevant because it aligns with your broader objective of improving fitness and building endurance. The goal is time-bound and is set for 60 days. It is critical to have this component while fixing goals, as it adds the element of urgency and facilitates better planning and progress.
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Break goals into actionable steps
The concept of first principle thinking focuses on solving problems by breaking down complex ones into the most basic elements. This approach encourages you to rebuild the solution starting from the fundamental building blocks. Breaking down the problem simplifies the overall process and offers a clear, detailed framework to tackle specific challenges effectively.
This will also help you challenge and address the assumptions that you would have had in mind regarding its feasibility. Additionally, it is easier to design customised strategies for the small parts and the bigger picture and evaluate progress based on the blocks. Rather than focusing only on the outcome as a measure of success, you can evaluate the progress of each component. This approach enables a more detailed and ongoing assessment, allowing for timely adjustments at the micro-level to keep the overall goal on track.
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Prioritise one or two key goals
While goal setting is crucial, keeping them simple and clear is key to accomplishing your objectives. You may have a hundred different areas where you seek improvement, but having everything together only makes it messed up, leading to failure in achieving it. Pick one or two specific areas to work on such as fitness and career or any other sector that you want to prioritize for the year. Dedicate your energy towards those goals and plan on how to achieve them. Do not try to juggle too many balls at once, you are destined to slip when you attempt to do so.
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Celebrate progress along the way
You may tend to neglect small wins while concentrating on the larger vision. Each time you complete a smaller block, acknowledge and celebrate the success in the way you desire. This will motivate you to carry on unfailingly for the remaining time that you have fixed for the goal.
Treating yourself does not have to be extravagant, it can be something as trivial as having your favourite pastry or snack (as long as it does not clash with your goals) or taking a moment to reflect on your journey from scratch till that moment. Celebrating small victories divides the journey into manageable milestones, making the process feel less overwhelming while fostering a continuous sense of triumph. Each small win serves as a reminder that progress is being made, even if the ultimate goal still seems distant.
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Review and refine goals regularly
This is one of the most overlooked aspects of the entire process. We have discussed how vital goal setting is for attaining it. It is said that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither can our goals be created and implemented in a short time. They take a lot of patience, perseverance and a secret ingredient in the form of progress tracking.
To ensure that you are on the path towards achieving your goal within the specified period, have a periodical review of the required metrics and assess where you stand. The benefit of this exercise is it will demonstrate where you stand with respect to your end goal and what you will need to work on to perform better.
Next time, when you see someone give up on resolutions right in February, know that it takes time to build a sustainable goal and a process to fulfil the same. Progress is a gradual, non-linear journey—cherish each step of the ascent. Are you ready to achieve your goals for the New Year?
