5 Goal Setting Tips for Success

Firstly, we would like to preface this blog post by wishing you a very Happy New Year. We hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year, however you spent it. Now we would like to discuss goals. Goal setting and resolutions are very common at this time of year. However, research suggests 43% of people give up on their goals by February. Does this sound like you? If so, we have 5 goal setting tips that may make it easier to achieve your goals.

1. Conduct an audit of 2022 before goal setting

Before setting any goals for 2023, it is important to look back on 2022 and reflect on how the year was for you. Did you set goals for 2022? Did you achieve these goals? What lessons did you learn in 2022? How will these lessons help shape you for the coming year? Is there anything from 2022 that you are excited to bring into 2023? Or are there things you are happy to leave behind? Think and journal on these questions. Looking back will help you create a plan for moving forward.

2. Decide your goals by the work and not the outcome

Completing an audit of 2022 should help you get clear on exactly what you want in 2023. So now start writing down every goal you want to achieve. Don’t second guess yourself, or dream small. The sky is the limit. Once that list is complete, read over every goal and consider what you have to do to achieve it. For example, if your goal is to get a promotion in work, what exactly do you need to do every day to achieve this? Maybe you need to come in early and stay late? Or take on additional responsibilities.

There may be another area of your life you have to sacrifice in order to get the promotion. So, the question is, are you willing to do this? It is easy to choose a goal because we want the desired outcome. But, it is important to know if you are willing to do the work in order to obtain the goal. If you are, then brilliant – move on to step 3! If not, forget that goal and move on to the next one on the list.

3. Consider all areas of your life before goal setting

When creating goals, it is important to look at all the different areas of your life. In order to be sure that the goal is attainable. For example, if your goal is to get a promotion by working overtime, but you don’t have childcare. Then you cannot achieve this goal via that method. It is so important to flag any potential barriers to achieving your goals before you even set them. This way you are not setting yourself up for failure. And you can pivot the method as required. For example, see if you can work from home in the evenings when your children are in bed. Or ask family or friends if they could sit with them while you work overtime.

4. Dream big, but take baby steps

Okay so, you chose a goal, you can commit to the method, and there are no conflicts that will derail you. So the next step is to create an action plan. Goals should be big and bold and exciting. However, the action steps should be small. In fact, the smaller the steps the better. So take your big goal and break it down into small actionable steps. For example, you want to start your own jewellery-making business. Do not quit your job and start the business by the second week of January. Firstly, write a list of every tiny thing you need to do from now until that business is launched. Things like deciding a name, getting a logo made, what materials you need, and the cost of the pieces you will be selling. Absolutely everything goes on the list. No step is too small. And secondly, start chipping away at the small stuff. By doing this you will reaffirm your progress and build confidence in yourself that your goal is possible. Over time, the small stuff compounds so you will achieve your goal before you know it.

5. Regularly review your goals

And our final goal-setting tip is to regularly review your goals. This can be daily or weekly, depending on your personal preference. However, we wouldn’t recommend leaving it for more than a week between check-ins. By regularly reviewing your goals, you are keeping them fresh in your mind. Making it much more likely that you will achieve them.