How are your New Year’s resolutions going?
Are you sticking to your goals?
Have you already given up this year?
Did you change your mind? Did you decide it wasn’t for you?
Probably not.
This is probably what happened…
The Same Old Studies
Studies* show that only 8% of Americans who make a New Year’s resolution will achieve it.
That’s sad, considering that 45% of Americans usually set them.
Blah, blah, blah! You’ve heard the stats before.
And they really don’t matter.
There’s no reason to talk about the statistics since you don’t want to become one.
The question is: why? Why is this a common area of failure?
How to Not Fail
You don’t need a reason to make a positive change.
If you are counting on the new year to be the extra motivation to push you over the top, you are probably setting yourself up for failure.
Why wait until the new year to change as opposed to today?
It’s important to set goals and especially important to write them down.
That applies to the whole year. Start writing your goals down. Seriously.
Writing down your goals holds you accountable. Written goals are reviewable.
Sit down and work on your goal list. Right now.
…
OK, did you write them down? No? Fine! But, promise me that you will do it later.
How to Actually Achieve Your Goals
Writing your goals is only one of the important factors in achieving them.
And remember: it’s important to set realistic financial goals, but it’s also important to set goals in every area of your life. You should have family goals, marriage goals, spiritual goals, and as many other goals as possible.
You can’t achieve goals that you don’t set. Start setting goals in all areas of your life.
You have probably heard it before. Goals need to be S.M.A.R.T.
- Specific – Exactly and specifically what you want to accomplish.
- Measurable – An amount or a way to know when the goal is accomplished.
- Attainable – The goal must be something you can actually reach.
- Realistic – You have to be honest with yourself about your capabilities, but aim high!
- Time-Bound – There must be a date. A deadline.
Most people fail at achieving their goals because they don’t follow these guidelines or because they don’t write them down.
A goal not written is quickly forgotten.
So let’s review…
- Write your goals down
- Set S.M.A.R.T. goals
- Review your goals often
- Actually achieve your goals
Final Words
It’s not knowing what to do. You probably already knew what to do. It’s simply doing it that counts.
It’s your responsibility to achieve your goals…
“It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.” -Zig Ziglar
Start today. Stop procrastinating. Set goals and achieve them.
More on goal setting:
- Goals: Setting and Achieving Them on Schedule (audio) by Zig Ziglar
- No Excuses: The Power of Self-Discipline (book) by Brian Tracy
- Goals!: How to Get Everything You Want – Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible (book) by Brian Tracy
- The Magic Lamp: Goal Setting for People Who Hate Setting Goals (book) by Keith Ellis
Photo Credit: duncan c