Top view 2019 goals list with notebook over white wooden desk.
Top view 2019 goals list with notebook over white wooden desk
How exciting it is to fantasize of renovating your routine and rerouting bad habits into better ones. New year, new you, right?! Some people hit the ground running on January 1st and are steadfast in pursuit of achieving their goals (overachievers, ugh!). Others have a hard time sticking to the script (likely because they never read it!). The difference between the two groups? A solid action plan.
French writer, poet, and aviator, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” You don’t always get what you wish for, particularly when you attempt to wish your way into a goal without putting in the work.
If you want to join the overachievers and claim a win for 2019, you’ll need a foolproof plan for success. Here are a few tips for creating your plan and supporting your success in the year ahead.
The W’s
Your action plan must address ‘the W’s.’ No, not the obscure ska and swing revival band, but the who, what, when, where and, most importantly, the why! The answers may seem obvious (like, duh, you are the ‘who’) but ‘the w’s’ are the building blocks of your plan.
Start with what. What are your goals? Write them down, keeping in mind the acronym SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely). SMART goals outline bite-sized, baby steps rather than impossible leaps. Post your goals in a place you spend time each day - the bathroom mirror perhaps - and recite them aloud often.
Now, let’s talk about why. If you stray off your path or become discouraged, it’s imperative to return to the reason(s) you’re pursuing a goal. Your why is personal and where you’ll find motivation and the ability to regroup.
Stay Focused
Don’t let your momentum plateau when hard work doesn’t pay off immediately. Keep your eye on the prize by posting affirmations around your home, in the car and at your work space. Bookmark inspirational videos and quotes - watch and read them regularly.
Practice Positivity
Celebrate the small stuff! Regularly express gratitude for the progress you are making and celebrate each bite-sized baby step along the path to success.
Even the best laid plans go awry. Don’t consider it a failure if something doesn’t quite work. It’s not quitting or giving up when you give yourself time, permission, and grace to re-evaluate and adjust in order to pick up where you left off.
If a resolution of yours is a bigger, smaller, more suitable house, the LizLuke Team your trusted advisor. Learn more and contact us at lizluke.com.
