2018 is upon us and in this article we’re going to look at some tips for getting this year under way in the best possible way.
Review 2017
Before looking ahead, it’s a good idea to look back at 2017. What went well and what didn’t?
Look at the positives and negatives, and why they happened. The more information you have about what happened in the past, the better placed you are to set appropriate goals, and the strategies for achieving them moving forwards.
Write down three things you were proud of in 2017 and three things you struggled with. Then, write why you think you succeeded/struggled in these areas. Finally, write what you could have done differently to see more success.
Set Goals for 2018
Now you’ve seen what went well last year, and where you struggled, it’s time to look forward and set some goals for 2018.
What do you want to achieve this year?
Write them down, and follow the SMART goals principle; that is-
Develop A Plan
Now you know what you want, the next step is to determine how you will make it happen. Work backwards from the end goal, to create a plan to get there.
Break your goal down into smaller monthly and weekly goals, and then list all the actions you need to take to make that happen.
Ensure the plan is something you can realistically follow, and then start putting things in place to implement it as soon as possible.
Get Clear on WHY You Want To Do This
Having a goal is great, and everyone is motivated in January to meet the resolutions and aims for the year.
The people who really succeed are still just as motivated in August. That requires having a clear sense of why you are doing this.
What is the big benefit you get from meeting your goals? Why is it so important to you? Write these down. These personal, meaningful statements make it real and provide the motivation and inspiration you will need to keep moving forwards when you face struggles.