With the New Year just beginning and talk of New Year Resolutions are still in the air; I started to think about my own goals, my expectations for the New Year and how I want to focus my time and energy. Goals can be new or add-on’s to accomplished goals; I have some goals I revise and reuse every year. Writing down goals is a great way to clarify and quantify what you want to achieve. Reviewing your goals often will keep your focus positive and forward thinking and won’t leave time to dwell on past mistakes, negative thoughts or outside distractions. It keeps you thinking, even subconsciously, on how to achieve your objectives.
 

Every January countless Americans make resolutions to change things in and for themselves. Most of us never do anything more to see these resolutions become reality. Not writing down your goals for the year is a pivotal mistake. As Gene Donohue, founder of TopAchievement.com says, “The difference between a dream and a goal is the written word”. Write down your goals, short-term and long-term and be specific including a time frame for your resolutions with specific outcomes and how you plan on achieving your goals. Make sure your goals are realistic and attainable. You probably won’t achieve your dream to become an Olympic Downhill Skier if you are 50 years old and have never skied before.           

Goals come in all shapes and sizes and don’t have to have monetary value or professional connections. Your goals can be to improve a skill or characteristic by taking a class or to read several monthly industry magazines. Think about quitting something like smoking, interrupting while people are talking, not keeping eye contact in a conversation, or being late to meetings. You might want to organize your work space, files, or a database. Professional goals can be to work to increase revenues, marketing strategies or even leisure time. How about offering pro bono work or some kind of community service to help others as a goal for this year? Possibilities are endless and completely up to you. 

Whatever your goals are, it is important that you review them often - even daily. Say the goals out loud or write them repeatedly to secure them in your mind. Another good habit is to review them in your mind before you go to bed and again in the morning to start your day with right thoughts. Work on reducing or eliminating the negative talk in your head - it will only help to defeat you if you let it continue. This takes a while to accomplish but every time you change a negative thought to a positive one you are making progress. The more often you catch yourself and change your thoughts the easier it becomes. 

Having a strong desire and drive to accomplish your goals is also important for them to become reality. Keep the desire fresh by focusing on the final outcomes of your goals. Imagine what it will feel like and the difference it will make in your life after your goals are achieved. Hold on to those feelings and visit them often to keep you motivated while working toward your goals. 

Finally, learn to believe your goals as the truth. Then watch what happens. One year from now, how many goals did you accomplish? I bet you’ll be surprised and delighted. When it happens - reward yourself! Even if it is just a pat on the back or a star sticker next to your written list of goals, you deserve it. Realize you can accomplish anything through setting goals, a strong desire to achieve them and proper, positive thought patterns. 

Happy New Year!!