Yes, it’s the middle of February and we’re just now posting this!
*It’s your turn to crack a joke about a goal to have timelier blog posts…*
Every year we do the same thing, don’t we? We follow the trend of setting some resolutions for the New Year–sometimes with true enthusiasm and sometimes while dragging our feet–and we often pick the typical goals everyone else is making and then don’t really follow up on them. Most people want to lose those extra 5 – 10 pounds, get more sleep at night, exercise more, eat less junk food, etc. And those are all great goals. But how can we improve our chances of success in completing our goals? On MindTools.com I found the 5 Golden Rules of goal setting:
1. Set goals that motivate you.
For some, this means starting with figuring out what motivates you. Don’t set a goal to achieve something you don’t want badly enough. You have to want it and make the goal into something that will push you toward it.
2. Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound).
Here’s an example: do 30 push-ups and 30 crunches every morning at 7:30am for one month (if that’s reasonable for you personally). Plan carefully so you don’t get discouraged by failure.
3. Set goals in writing.
Write down your goal, and I’d also suggest telling someone else about it so that you’re held accountable. We’ve all heard how much more likely a goal is to be achieved when written down.
4. Make an action plan.
Set your goals in increments. Set smaller goals that work toward the end goal to help keep you on track. You’ll also be able to see your progress more easily, which is very encouraging.
5. Stick with it!
This goes back to the first rule of making sure your goals motivate you. Then you need to exercise your discipline to follow through and reap the rewards. Don’t give up!
Happy 2013 from Ivory Homes!
