So how are those New Year’s Resolutions going?  If your answer is “not so great”, you are not alone.  80% of people have given up on their resolutions by February.  But don’t worry, this is not failure, just a temporary set-back.  It is also not an excuse for YOU to give up.  With a little organization, re-motivation, and of course, a PLAN you can continue to work towards your goals.  Let’s get you back on track.

Grab a pen and paper and play along with me.

Identify Priorities

The first thing we need to do is establish your priorities in life.  What things are most important?  Where do you want to put your focus?  A lot of people come up with resolutions that do not coincide.  Establishing a connection between your goals and resolutions with your priorities in life will give you a much better success rate.

Answer these questions:

Who are the most important people in your life?

What are the biggest things you want to accomplish in this lifetime (you can be vague)?

How much time do you want to spend on yourself versus on/with others?

Looking at 2018, what do you want to accomplish over the next 10 months?

Identify your “Why”

Now that you have your priorities established, it is time dig into why you made your New Year’s Resolutions.  Knowing the root of your motivation to change will help carry you through the tougher points of your transition.  It will also help you identify if your goals truly represent what you want.  Establishing your “why” can help you modify your goals so they reflect what YOU want for YOURSELF rather than what you think the world wants of you.

Answer these questions:

How will your life be different when you accomplish your goal?

Who will benefit from you accomplishing your goal?  Yourself, family, work?

What will you lose out on or miss if you fail or give up?

What areas of your life will improve when you reach your goal?

Is your goal a final destination or a step in a larger process?

How will you feel once you accomplish your goal?

Why did you choose to change this year?

Make REAL Goals

With your “Why” established, you can now make real goals that fit with your life.  At this time, it is also important to recognize if you need to adjust your goals to match your life and priorities.

Answer these questions:

What is your goal for 2018?

What are 2 or 3 smaller goals that would help you move towards your 2018 goal?

Can you imagine yourself accomplishing this goal?

Is there anything you need to do to prepare or before you start working towards your goal?

Make a Plan

Now you have real goals, that fit within your lifestyle, and your “why” to keep you motivated.  All that is left, is a solid plan.  Success is not solely based on discipline and hard-work.  Trying to make major change without a plan is like running a race without knowing the route.  You can go as fast as you can, hour upon hour, and never reach the finish line.

Answer these questions:

What can you do TODAY to work towards your goal?

What obstacles are there to accomplishing your goal?

What are 2-3 solutions you can think of to help you overcome your obstacles?

What can you do on a daily basis to help you reach your goal?

What can you get done in the next 2 weeks to work towards that goal?

What can you plan now, to help you work towards your goal in the next 3-6 months?

What are good indicators that you have accomplished half of your overall goal?

Change is hard, but it is much easier when you know why you are changing and have a clear road map.  Do some work up front so you don’t find yourself struggling later down the line.  As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry stated, “A goal without a plan, is just a wish”.