New Year comes new resolutions. New wishes of losing weight, getting a new job or being a better person. I used the term wish for a reason. These are just dreams that people want to happen but either don’t have a plan or lose steam pretty quickly.
I suggest to employ the S.M.A.R.T strategy when developing goals
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Timed
Specific – “I want to lose 20 lbs by December 25th 2020” not “I want to lose weight this year”
Measurable – You can weigh yourself every month or every other month to track progress
Achievable – Although losing 100 pounds is not impossible it is not the norm. You want to set a goal that can be reached in that timeframe. You need to be honest with yourself and try to achieve something you currently have not but could.
Realistic – Losing 100 pounds in a given year may not be realistic for the masses given prior habits that need to be adjusted for success. If you are to the point of needing to lose 100 pounds it would not be advisable to try to lose it all in a single year because realistically it will just not happen
Timed – Give yourself a deadline to reach your goal so you remain conscious of it.
Achievable and Realistic are often the cause of confusion One way to tell the difference between them is achievable is what could be done and realistic is what should be done.
In your goal setting these two may be too similar and you can skip the need for both as long as one is present in your goal.
The first step in being successful in your endeavours is set GOALS. Goals are measurable milestones. Think about the goals you want to achieve not only for this year but you should create long term goals as well.
Top Resolutions (Goals)
Career
Financial
Intellectual
Spiritual
Family
Social
Physical
Quick Resolution Question Guide
Career – Do you want to advance your career path by applying for a new position or switch gears and work for yourself?
Financial – Do you want to get out of debt? Do you want to create a six month emergency savings account
Intellectual – How many books do you want to read this year? Are there any classes or training courses you want to take
Spiritual – Do you want to re-establish your connection? Maybe you feel as though your actions have not been totally aligned with your spiritual belief and need a tune up
Social – Do you have the right people in your circle? Do you need to cut those that are affecting you negatively or aren’t supportive of your dreams
Physical – (usually the top resolution) Do you want to lose weight? Do you want to compete in a race?
Short Term vs Long Term
For this exercise we will consider short term to be any goal achievable in 12 months or sooner
Long term will be any goal that will be reached over 12 months
Short term example: Save $500 for an emergency fund
Long term example: save enough money for a downpayment on a house
The key to having successful goals is to think about your reason for wanting to reach your goal. If you have a goal of losing 50 pounds, what is your motivation for doing it? You need a motivating reason behind it. You may want to lose weight so that you can have more energy to play with your children or for health reasons. These reasons will help you through the struggle. The thought of playing with your kids at the park will make it all worth the effort.
Along your journey you will stumble and fall. Remember no matter how many times you fall, you can always get back up. We are all human and none of us are perfect. Even the most disciplined of us get side tracked from time to time.
Accountability will aide you in your quest. We are what we choose to be. We do what we choose to do. If you are not losing weight, who is responsible? Are you doing everything necessary to reach your goal? If not, you have to be honest with yourself and make adjustments where necessary. Is your savings account growing or are you trying to keep up with the joneses. Accountability is a powerful trait. If you can identify that you are the reason that you aren’t further along than you should be then you are capable of fixing that fact. The worst thing people do is blame everyone under the sun for them not being able to reach their goals.
My advice is to sit down and think about what you want for yourself. What is success to you when it comes to your personal life, your finances and your professional life? What does it look like. What are those milestones? Why are those milestones important for you to achieve? How do you go about reaching these goals?
If you need help with these questions or guidance you can always reach out to Hiphopmanor. We offer free 30 minute consultations to evaluate your current situation and where you want to be. We will develop a success path and packpage that works for you. Our goal is to advance the culture and it starts with one person at a time. You have greatness in you and it’s time that you see it.
