ForkBytes

It’s that time of year again! I really enjoy the transition from one year into the next… getting closure on last year and planning the year ahead. I love setting goals and making plans for what I want to do each new year. In fact, I love planning my New Year’s goals so much that I usually start in November! One thing I’ve found really helpful is being very clear about my goals. Empty resolutions don’t serve anyone!

New Year’s resolutions are a kind of fine-tuning process. Every year, each of us gets a little better at setting goals that really get us motivated to make positive changes in our lives. Here are my 6 Goal-Setting Tips for 2006!

1. Question everything. Many people make resolutions at the New Year that they feel they should make rather than really looking at what they actually want. First, ask yourself WHY you want to accomplish that goal. If you can’t come up with a good reason, it may not be something you’re able to focus on right now. That’s fine. Let it go.

2. Have fun. New Year’s resolutions should NOT be a drag! Every goal on your list must excite and delight you if you want to stay motivated to work on it. If you’re feeling blasé about a goal or, worse, dreading working on it, see #1. That goal may not be the right thing for you to work on right now.

3. Reframe last year’s resolutions. If you’ve had “lose 20 pounds” on your New Year’s resolution list for the past three years, it’s time to re-evaluate that goal. If you’re sure it’s a goal you really want to work on this year (see #1), maybe you need to think of it in a different way. For example, maybe a better goal for you would be “eat more delicious, healthful vegetables” or “move your body more.”

4. Watch your language. Goals should be worded in positive, upbeat language that captures your excitement about the desired result. I also like to make sure my goals are focused on what I can do versus what I’m trying not to do. For example, “stop being such a workaholic” is a negative statement (telling you what NOT to do); “take a vacation with your best friend to the beach” is a positive statement. Which would you rather work on?

5. Think big, work small. You may have an overarching goal of showing your artwork in a gallery this year, but it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day business of living your life and before you know it, the year has slipped away without your working on your goal. Break your goals down into manageable steps that you can work on each day, week, or month, and schedule time to work on them. In the art gallery example, your steps might be develop your portfolio, contact gallery owners to set up meetings, install your artwork, coordinate the opening, etc.

6. Keep yourself posted. It is essential that your goals have measureable steps along the way, and it is equally essential that you check in with yourself to see how it’s going. Make a plan now to reevaluate your goals at the end of March (or sooner) — ask yourself whether you are where you want to be and how you’d like to move forward.