Everyone seems excited about the new year but if you were to be honest with yourself, you may be feeling a bit uninspired and unmotivated. In fact, you could be dreading the question ‘what’s your new year’s resolution?’ because you’ve not set any and you are not inspired to set some. We all know goals are a great way to ensure that you spend your time in a purposeful and fulfilling way so we’ve got some ideas here to help you get started on setting some exciting goals. We want you to set goals that will have you jumping out of bed and see you through the tough days that will surely come. You need powerful goals, goals that are unique to you and come from within, not goals that you think you should be setting and achieving. Setting effective goals is not about what society considers a success but what gives you fulfilment.

Here are some ideas to set you up for success in 2018.

1. Heed to the ancient Greek saying: “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Spend some time evaluating and reflecting on where you currently are and your level of satisfaction with your current life. What are you grateful for? What do you want to change? What do you want to achieve? What’s missing? Look back at what you have accomplished over the last year and where you are. Be truthful, specific about where you are and why it needs to change.

2. “Where there is no vision, there is no hope.” – George Washington

Think long-term and set a vision for your life, not just this year.

We are all headed one way for a limited time on this planet.  Speak to anyone who has faced their mortality through ill health or accident and they will tell you it really changes their perspective on life and how they choose to spend their time. We don’t have to go through these experiences to learn from them. So, imagine yourself on your deathbed, at the end of your life and ask yourself ‘How do I want to be remembered? What do I want to be written about me 5, 10, 20 years down the line?’

What you need to do: take 10-15mins and write down whatever comes to mind. What do you want to be remembered for? What do you want to accomplish when you reach key milestones of your life 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 etc. Where do you want to be professionally, financially and physically, in your family life or in your relationship(s)? 

Do you want to have a legacy? What do you want it to be? It’s important that you break down your goals by key milestones to help focus your mind and effort. If you find yourself struggling with this exercise, then remember that at its basic form, goals are lists of things that you want to achieve. Just brain dump your ideas and don’t over think it.

Use your imagination and take the limits off. If you lived in a perfect world where you could do anything and be anything you wanted, what would that be? Don’t worry about what people might think about this because you don’t have to share this until you are ready to do so.

3. Accountability matters 

What could stop you from achieving these goals?

By February most people have forgotten about their goals so it’s important that you commit to working alongside someone who knows what your goals are. An accountability partner is vital if you want to really achieve your goals this year. Not only will this person or group hold you accountable but they can also give you an added boost and motivation during the tough days. You can have different accountability partners for the different areas outlined above.

When you’ve completed these 3 steps, you can be sure that your resolutions will be meaningful goals that excite you. Most importantly you would have factored in accountability which significantly increases your chances of achieving these goals. 

If you are not already a member of Forward Ladies, then take a look and join us; we have the connections, support and tools to help you make the most of the year.

Good luck and wishing you the most incredible new year. 

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