How to Set Effective Goals in 2023
Welcome back to my digital diary,
Trust me, I know how the cycle goes… every year you get excited to set goals, become the best version of yourself, and finally accomplish the goals you promised yourself you’d achieve. You get burnt out, you make a few excuses, and before you know it, February rolls around and you don’t remember what goals you had set for yourself in the first place. Does this sound familiar?
I’m here to help make sure this doesn’t happen for you this year.
Over the years I’ve attended goal setting seminars, and practiced setting goals in ways that actually work! I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up in a family that encourages yearly goal setting, and because of this, i’ve seen the results of these practices. So without further delay, let’s talk goal setting strategy!
Goal Setting Rules:
Goals Must Be:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant/Reachable
Timely
Exciting
Visual
What do these terms mean? And how do they relate to goal setting?
Specific:
Specificity is the first step on your goal setting journey! You should create clear-cut steps that specify clearly what you goal is! If you goal is unclear, and the path to achieving it is confusing, you will less likely to achieve it. An example of a goal that is specific is “I want to lose 5 pounds by March 1st through working out five times a week and eating healthy.” This goal is very specific, listing not only what your goal is, but how you will achieve it!
Measurable:
Your goals must be measurable by time and quantity. Creating measurable goals is one way to increase the likelihood you will achieve your goals. An example of a goal that is measurable is “I want to be able to do 20 pushups February 1st.” The detail that makes this goal measurable is the “20.” Without this, there would be no measure of if you achieved your goal or not.
Attainable:
Your goals should be attainable for you! Of course, you’re always told to shoot for the stars and set big goals. We’re all told this growing up. The truth is, setting goals that are too big are one of the reasons why people give up on their new years goals in the first place. Think of your goals as being stepping stones toward your dreams. Your dreams should be big, but the steps to achieving those dreams should be small and consistent.
Relevant/Reachable:
Have you ever set a goal that just felt impossible to reach? Yes, your goals should challenge you, but they should also be realistically reachable. Nothing is more discouraging than setting a goal you know you can’t achieve. Setting some smaller easier goals will give you a sense of accomplishment!
Timely:
I know due dates aren’t the most exciting topic, but they are key to accomplishing your goals! An example of a goal bound by time is: “I want to be able to run 3 miles collectively by the end of February.” Setting goals with your own created due dates are key to accomplishing your goals in 2023!
Exciting:
Nothing is worse than a boring set of goals! Let’s be honest, if you aren’t really excited about your goals, how likely are you to achieve them? Probably not very likely. So set goals that excite you this year! If you goal is to improve your fitness routine, maybe set a goal to meet two new friends at the gym. If your goal is to eat healthier, maybe set a goal to learn one new healthy recipe each month! Put an exciting spin on the goals you want to achieve this year!
Visual:
Creating a visual of your goals will not only allow you to read your goals daily, it will give you the ability to manifest your 2023 goals and dreams on a single page! Next Wednesday’s blog will be all about goal boards and how to create a visual form of all the goals you set this year. Stay tuned!
Next week I will be sharing my own goal board and some example goals I have set for myself in 2023! Stay tuned and reach out to share your goals! I would love to hear your goals for the new year.
All the best,
Kennedy Elizabeth
