4 Steps to Make 2023 the Year of Accomplishing Your Goals
photo by Mohamed Hassan @pixabay
“Setting goals that align with your values is key to fulfillment and perseverance.”
With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, we have 5 weeks till the end of this year. Getting organized now will help you move forward as soon as the new year begins. By figuring out the goals you want to focus on & developing an action plan, you’ll be sure to boost your success.
Start Now and Achieve Success in the New Year
Identify Your Goals
Recognize The Relevance
Create A Plan
Explore Potential Obstacles in Advance
Give yourself the gift of self-reflection and planning before the end of the year to ensure 2023 is a successful year for achieving your goals.
Identify Your Goals
What’s the change you want to make? New Year’s is a perfect time to pay attention to the deepest ambitions inside of you. Figure out the lifestyle, habits, and values you want to focus on.
Is there something you’ve had in the back of your mind that you’re not totally sure you can do, but if you did, you’d be super proud of yourself? Achieving this goal would make your life more fulfilling and would bring you inner peace. Is there any reason not to focus on growth in this area now?
List your big picture visionary goals, the outcomes in your life you most want to move towards. Below are some examples to help you brainstorm.
In 2023,
I’ll open a new location of my business
I’ll complete the creative project I’ve been working on
I’ll save $$$ for a trip around the world
I’ll take a leadership role in a local community non-profit
I’ll become a daily meditator
Recognize the Relevance
Once you’ve listed your reach goals, the things you really want to achieve, spend some time figuring out why accomplishing your specific goals are important to you.
The more clarity we have about what’s meaningful, and the more honest we are about our intentions and desires, the more likely we are to build momentum and commitment to the work needed to be successful. Consider asking yourself questions like, “why is this goal important to me?” “Why is this goal important now?”
I’ll open a new location with my business this year because I’ve dreamed of creating a franchise for years so I can provide financial security for my family
I’ll complete this creative project because I have been working on it throughout the pandemic, I want others to have an opportunity to see it, and give me feedback on it
I’ll save money for a trip around the world because I raised my children and want to travel with my partner while we are able-bodied
I’ll take a leadership role in a local community non-profit because I want to make a meaningful contribution in my hometown and I have the time to do so this year
I’ll become a daily meditator because I want to set a good example for my children around managing difficult emotions and taking time for self-care
Create a Plan
Once you’ve figured out the goal, work out the realistic steps you’ll want to start with that will support you in getting there. Having a specific plan in place saves time and adds focus for when life gets busy. You’ll know what you need to do by having listed your priorities in advance.
I’ll call my accountant, schedule a meeting to look at my budget for the year and determine how much I can invest in this new project
I’ll work 3 hours a day, 5x a week on completing the project
I plan to save x amount each week and will adjust my spending by cutting out xyz items
I will contact the executive director at the community center to find out how I can help
I will wake up 15 min earlier, before my family’s awake, and practice meditating each day
Explore Potential Obstacles in Advance
Forecasting how to handle potential obstacles gives you the advantage over regular setbacks because you’ve already planned how you’ll manage them at the beginning of the process.
Think about the situations that contribute to losing focus or delaying progress
When I don’t get enough sleep, planning for the future goes out the window
I’ll order the supplies I need in advance, so my scheduled time is dedicated to the work
I’ll place reminders, such as images or quotes about travel plans, to help me stay focused on my goal and curb impulse spending
I’ll tell my friends about my plan, to help keep me accountable to my goals
I’ll dedicate a space in my home for meditation in advance, to save time in the mornings
Think ahead to set yourself up for success by identifying potential obstacles to making progress. Make it as easy as possible to achieve your goals. Whenever possible surround yourself with people who will celebrate your victories and support your achievements. For more challenging obstacles that may get in the way of starting or maintaining action towards your goals, consider approaches such as daily journaling, joining a networking/accountability group, or 1:1 coaching.
Follow these 4 steps before the end of the year. Figure out what you want to focus on, reflect on what is important about this change, set realistic priorities, and plan for potential obstacles to move toward the life you have always wanted.
